Meet Mr Dart

Tell us about your own experience being at school when you were younger.

I was a student who flew under the radar. I got my work done but was never motivated or engaged, with the exception of PE. There are the obvious times that school was enjoyable such as being able to hang out with your mates every day; however, I mostly didn’t enjoy school. My greatest memories of school are all on the basketball court.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

This experience in my own schooling is what inspired me to become a teacher. I thought that if I could help students have a more positive experience than my own and help them enjoy their time in the classroom, they would want to be present, they will become engaged, motivated and grow to love learning.

Tell us about your basketball background.

When I was 12 years old, I began playing basketball, filling in for my older brothers’ U17 team when they didn’t have enough players. I grew to love the game of basketball and have played Rep since U16. Basketball became my life; I was training morning and evening to achieve big goals of being in the NBA. From U18 to D-League and SBL, I always finished the season in the top 5 scorers in the state. I was lucky enough to be recruited by Missouri Valley College on scholarship in the USA, playing NAIA Division I basketball. We played in front of crowds larger than I ever had before. I remember being so excited when I found out that a few of our games were streamed onto ESPN. I came back to Australia as I could no longer perform my best with some gruelling knee injuries, including a knee reconstruction at 18 years old. When I came back to Australia, I had an option to play for the Bundy Bulls or continue my studies, which is when I began to study Primary Education.

What do you love about teaching Primary School?

I love it when you know you have the students engaged. I am really enthusiastic in my lessons (especially after my morning coffee), and I think that enthusiasm is contagious. I love to have fun in the classroom. I love to learn through games and being active. I love running my classroom like a team, where we are caring and kind towards one another and always have each other’s backs. Page 15