Experience the Dedication

COURTNEY DIBBEN | TEACHER ST ANTHONY’S CATHOLIC COLLEGE, DEERAGUN

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A TEACHER? I chose to become a teacher because it has always been a dream of mine. However, I found myself in a career in radio for the decade after school. Following the birth of my first daughter, my desire to help children and make a difference in their lives was stronger than ever and I started my degree when she was four months old. Skip forward four years; another daughter (born mid-semester), and it is one of the decisions I am most proud of in my life.

WHAT IS IT YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? As you can probably imagine from my previous answer, the thing I love most about my job is having the chance to work with children. Teaching is one of those completely dynamic careers where no two days are the same and you never know what you are going to get when you walk through the doors of the classroom. I have heard about family pets having babies, sporting triumphs, loss of family members, holidays, birthday parties and a student who swam through a crocinfested swamp to look for his pet dog (he survived the swim and found her, thankfully). To quote Rita Pierson (who was quoting James Comer) "no significant learning can occur without a significant relationship" and that is why being able to build these bonds with my students is paramount to the joy I find in my profession. DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A TEACHER IN 5 WORDS. Ms Norbury (Mean Girls) meets Ms Frizzle. WHAT IS THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT LIKE? The Catholic school environment is unlike any I have experienced previously in that service is at the very heart of it. I work with an incredible group of teachers at St Anthony's Catholic College for whom the needs of children, families, and the community is central to their practice. Everyday I witness teachers volunteering, in their own time, to run school sports and music programs, provide additional tutoring to students, meet with families and rally involvement in community events like the Townsville to Cairns bike ride or Clean Up Australia Day. Every one of my colleagues serves the students and broader community tirelessly and it makes me so proud to be a small part of it.

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL AS A TEACHER? My goal as a teacher is to provide for my students the kind of teacher I would love for my daughters to have. Someone who supports them to achieve their best and be themselves at a time when that is a scary thing to do. If I can foster self-belief, confidence and compassion in my students, then I feel like I have done my job.

...the Dedication

GARY HAYDEN | TEACHER GILROY SANTA MARIA COLLEGE, INGHAM

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A TEACHER? I come from a family of Catholic educators and the decision to teach was made early. Initially, I combined my love of sport with teaching/coaching. At university, I combined my studies of human bioscience with teacher education.

WHAT IS IT YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? When the students say ‘thank you’ at the end of a lesson they enjoyed.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A TEACHER IN 5 WORDS. In awe of other teachers.

WHAT IS THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT LIKE? I have worked at Gilroy Santa Maria College in Ingham since 1995 and have witnessed firsthand the benefits of a safe and welcoming school environment that combines the values of the Catholic church with excellent educational opportunities.

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL AS A TEACHER? My ultimate goal as a teacher is that Holy Grail of teaching – the perfect lesson.

MEL SIEMER | LEARNING AND TEACHING ADVISER, INCLUSIVE EDUCATION TEACHER ST KIERAN’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL, MOUNT ISA

WHEN DID YOU START TEACHING? My first teaching position was all the way back in 1997 at Sacred Heart Parish Primary School in Broken Hill. Since then we have moved around Queensland managing cattle stations and I have had the opportunity to teach in both state and Catholic schools throughout the 20+ years.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A TEACHER? When I was in high school I spent lots of time looking after my little nieces and nephews, I also completed some of my work experiences in childcare and loved it. At the time it was either teaching or becoming a florist! WHAT IS IT YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? All of the different little personalities and having something to laugh about every day.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A TEACHER IN 5 WORDS. Compassionate, dedicated, fun, dynamic & full of crazy ideas.

WHAT IS THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT LIKE? Holistic, inclusive and warm.

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL AS A TEACHER? To ensure that I am catering for the needs of all of the students and that I can support all of our staff to love their jobs as much as I do.

SHADLEY DAVIDS | ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL – RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL, CLONCURRY

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A TEACHER? My mother was a teacher, while growing up I saw her passion and love for teaching, and it made me want to do the same. I also had a few passionate teachers in my schooling career who ignited the same passion within me.

WHAT IS IT YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love seeing the academic growth my students are able to obtain whether it’s from a C level to A level or a D level to C level.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A TEACHER IN 5 WORDS. Positive. Attentive. Enthusiastic. Dependable. Jovial. Understanding. WHAT IS THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT LIKE? The Catholic School environment encourages teachers to be the best they can, it focuses on the person as a whole. It is supportive, welcoming, and inclusive. It is nurturing and aims to develop the individual and their abilities

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL AS A TEACHER? My goal as a teacher is to inspire a love for learning and engage students in lessons.

WHEN DID YOU START TEACHING? I started teaching in 2014 and have worked my way up to a Leadership position.