MRS JO MCGROUTHER

Head of Faculty, Science

Have you always worked as a teacher or have you had other careers?

I have always been a teacher except for a break of eight years when my two children were young. When I first started teaching I had a second job filling the shelves at Woolworths a couple of nights each week. We clocked on at 6pm and often did not finish until 1 am. This was back when shops closed at 5 pm and before barcodes and scanners were invented, so everything had to be labelled with the price. I was the smallest member of the night-fill team so I worked in the confectionery aisle as they thought I would consume less!

What led you to a career in education?

I loved school and learning but I also loved animals. I grew up in the Central West of NSW in the small town of Parkes. I was always surrounded by animals. For a while I was undecided about becoming a vet or a teacher but my interest in Science and Maths trumped and I enrolled in a BSc at Sydney University, knowing that if teaching was not my thing there were many other options available with a Science degree. It seems teaching was my thing!

What has been your greatest challenge in the classroom?

Every class is made up of a diverse group of students. They have different interests, they learn at different rates and in different ways. Like me they have family issues, friendship issues, commitments, highs and lows. Some have been up swimming laps at 5 am, some have a speech exam after my lesson, some are overwhelmed with school work, some are procrastinators and disorganised, some are extroverted, gaining energy from being with others whilst some are introverts, gaining their energy from within. My greatest challenge has always been to know and understand each student so that I can encourage and guide them as young people and as learners, providing a supported space for each to thrive.

What do you enjoy most about being involved in education?

I love the energy in a classroom. No group of students is the same, no lesson is the same. I love lessons that work, where students are fascinated, where they have a sense of success, where they dig deep to master a skill and where they learn a little more about themselves. Lessons that don’t go so well motivate me to devise new strategies, to look at the personalities in the room and create a different approach that may just work in the next lesson. To witness and play a role in the growth of young people is a real privilege. I am fortunate to work with a team of teachers who share this passion.

What do you find most rewarding about working in your field?

I love receiving an email or card from a past student who has pursued a career in Science. It makes me happy to think that in some small way I may have ignited a spark. A few years ago, I ended up in Accident and Emergency at RPA Hospital with suspected cyanide poisoning. Many tests were done and when the results came back the doctor on the ward read out the assessment written by the Poison’s Registrar, “Patient appears to be fine but should remain under observation for a few more hours and thanks for teaching me Chemistry Mrs McGrouther. I loved your lessons.”

Do you have a most memorable career point to date?

I have been teaching for 36 years so to choose is so difficult. Overseas tours (New Zealand, USA, Tanzania, Singapore, Vietnam) certainly rate highly as these forge strong friendships in amazing settings. The Vietnam trip to the Ba Vi Disability Centre was definitely a standout. I would encourage students to consider this life-changing experience.

Another memorable career moment was my interview for the position at PLC Sydney on Skype. I was on Long Service Leave, staying in a hotel in Istanbul, Türkiye. The interview was at 7 am so we rose early, made the beds and hid the backpacks and wet towels. I felt it was the worst interview I had ever given but here I am!

Who has been your greatest influence?

Often people are inspired by good people who are highly skilled. I have been very fortunate to work with a few of these wonderful mentors in my career, but, I would have to say that the people who have had the greatest influence have been the exact opposite. These episodes of intense challenge encouraged me to step up and helped me discover strengths I did not know I had. It wasn’t pleasant at the time but looking back now, I am so grateful that these people crossed my path. Real growth happens when things are tough.

What is your motto in life?

What doesn’t break you makes you stronger!

Do you have any interests/hobbies?

I love to travel, particularly to wild and remote places. The last big trip I did before COVID was to Iceland, the land of unpronounceable places. We did the Laugavegur Trek, staying in mountain huts and trekking through the most spectacular volcanic terrain and waterfalls.

My most adventurous trip was a kayaking expedition to the Hubbard Glacier in Alaska. Aside from the spectacularly blue ice formations and the booming sound of the glacier calving into the sea, seeing grizzly bears face to face in the wild was an experience I shall never forget!