The Brisbane Catholic Education science and biology teacher from secondary girl's school St John Fisher College Bracken Ridge says science, and in particular biology, was her passion as a teenager.
“Science challenged my thinking around real world issues,” she says.
“I enjoyed how applicable it was to real life and I was able to understand the world more deeply from my science studies.
“It is important to support girls early in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) subjects and create a safe learning environment to promote understanding, engagement and as a result a love for science.
“I’d love to see more of my students move into science-based careers with the confidence they develop learning in my classroom.”
Monique says her teaching approach differs as the age and understanding of her students grow.
“With older students, I can challenge them to think deeper around scientific topics to become knowledgeable global citizens,” she adds.
“This was evident during the global pandemic as students could apply their understanding from what we had been learning in the Year 11 biology unit on infectious diseases - and apply it to what was happening in their day-to-day lives.
“For younger students, I can spark their interest in science and show them the fun in science through interesting topics, hands-on activities and exciting experiments.”
Monique says she has enjoyed every minute of the past four years teaching at St John Fisher College.
“Our community is an extremely welcoming and inclusive environment,” says Monique, who also teaches a Year 11 subject called Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement and a Year 12 subject called Certificate III in Laboratory Skills.
“I love coming to school every day and seeing my students and being able to spark interest and a love for science.
“Being a smaller sized school, it has been easy to build relationships with staff and students which promotes a safe learning environment for all.“
Since 2020, Monique has made her mark at the College, starting their environmental club which focuses on creating a native garden and implementing recycling and sustainability strategies such as recycling coffee cups from the school café.
As part of the club, students have visited Moreton Island and completed the Lord Mayor’s Young Environmental Leadership Program.
“It is a really big passion of mine to enhance students’ motivation around sustainability to ensure a healthy world in the future and understand how our different ecosystems function and survive,” Monique says.
St John Fisher College Principal Britt Gurnett described Monique as a “fantastic young teacher.”
“She has really found her feet at our school and is a great example of someone who is early in her career and has committed herself to her work and school life.”
In 2023, Monique represented Brisbane Catholic Education and attend World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal.
She says it was a “life-changing” experience from which she made life-long friends.
“Faith has always been a big part of my life and I always embrace every opportunity to build on my faith,” Monique added.
“I loved being a part of the global church and experiencing the love and inclusion from around the world and I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to be a part of it.
“After returning, I found it very fulfilling to share my experience with my colleagues and all of my classes and see them so excited and interested in my experience.”
BCE employees work in a wide range of teaching and non-teaching roles that support Catholic traditions and contribute to developing socially just young people who embrace sustainability and make positive contributions to the modern world.