New educators
Meet the New Educator Committee The New Educator Committee is comprised of early career teachers across a variety of schools and specialist teaching areas across the state. Meeting once a term, this committee provides a voice for new educators and is the foundation of our New Educator Network (NEN). With these new educators leading
the way, it is our goal to re-ignite the NEN, providing professional learning, support and networking opportunities for early career teachers.
our committee take on a variety of roles including union representative, State Council delegate and have even represented new educators at a national level.
Many have taken on lead roles within their worksite and actively engage in union decision-making processes. Members of
We would like to thank them for their commitment to the SSTUWA and look forward to a very productive 2020.
Paul Otto My name is Paul, and I am a new maths and science high school teacher working in Perth's southmetropolitan area. My school is brand new, which comes with its own distinctive luxuries, as well as challenges. As someone who has worked in other industries before moving to teaching, I appreciate the role unions play in an industrial relations system that requires (for equity's sake) checks and balances. Without the vox populi that a union is uniquely positioned to broadcast, workers' rights can potentially erode away into nothing. As a new educator, statistically a minority demographic within our industry, I feel a particular responsibility to be an active union member to ensure my representation. Moreover, in modern times it's not unheard of for many professionals to be completely ignorant of their unions and the historical progress that has been made by preceding generations of workers. As a part of the New Educator Committee, I hope to educate myself on union matters and raise awareness amongst my contemporaries, as I share their concerns and voices with the larger body. In this day and age, societal cohesion and social progress are sorely needed. Solidarity forever.
Brendon Crozier I am a Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) teacher at Melville Senior High School. I am in my fifth year of teaching and I am the current union rep at my school. Teaching is incredibly rewarding, and I want to support new educators as they begin their journey in the profession.
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Western Teacher
July 2020
Jesse Weston This is my third year of teaching. The first two were at Baynton West Primary School in Karratha. This year I am teaching at Settlers Primary School in Baldivis. In Karratha I taught Year 4 , while this year I am teaching Year 5. Some might say that's not a big change, but I have found it to be quite a challenging transition to the massive difference in the curriculum. I have always believed strongly in unions and the main reason I joined the SSTUWA was for the support and backup if I ever needed it, however I have found that I have gained a lot more than what I expected. The union has provided me a place to express and challenge my ideas in support of all teachers, it has allowed the opportunity for discourse with teachers all across Australia at different stages of their careers and has given me a wider perspective on what it means to be a teacher in WA. The New Educator Committee is all about making the voice of the most vulnerable teachers heard. As part of the committee I have the opportunity to stand up for the rights of all new educators. I implore all new educators to join the committee so that you can understand your rights, you can have support if you need it and play an active role in shaping your career.
Sean Vagg My name is Sean and I’m a secondary school teacher. I think it is vital to support and provide learning opportunities for new educators in the workforce and I look forward to sharing my ideas on the committee. I love living by the coast and working on my house on the weekends.
