Having worked in a different field previously, studying a Master of Teaching at QUT was a second attempt at a career for Amy Griffin who is now a Secondary Teacher (English and History) at John Paul College.
What do you enjoy about your job?
The kids, I don’t think it would have mattered where I landed, it would have always been the kids. I love working with young people and the students at my school are incredible in terms of their attitude towards learning and their ability to persist in adverse situations. They also have such a rich and diverse culture at my school that makes every day different and interesting.
Please share some of your career highlights.
I was incredibly lucky to be able to participate in the John Paul College Soaring Scholarship program for pre-service teachers. This not only gave me job opportunities but enabled me to be in a school, gaining knowledge and experience in my final year of study as a Secondary Learning Assistant. I supported day-to-day classroom activities, collaborative learning routines and often provided one-on-one assistance for students who required additional support in their learning. I was exposed to so many different learning profiles in this role, which has supported me to become a more empathetic, compassionate, versatile teacher.
As part of this scholarship program, I was also able to coach a primary netball team. This taught me the importance of bonding with students outside of the classroom and created meaningful relationships with parents. Being a secondary teacher, I was not often exposed to primary students. Coaching this team taught me a valuable lesson in patience and humility that I take into my teaching every single day. School readiness programs are invaluable to pre-service teachers, and I feel better equipped in my current role for completing this program.
You mentioned that studying the Master of Teaching (Secondary) is a second attempt at a career for you. What inspired you to study this course?
Before I came to teaching, I was in journalism. I had considered teaching when I first left school and I guess I talked myself into something different. When I realised that journalism wasn’t the right fit for me in the long term, I thought it might be good to return to education. I love working with young people and I wanted to do something where I could see tangible outcomes every day. Becoming a teacher has certainly been the right move for me.
How has this course helped you in your current role?
The Master of Teaching (Secondary) at QUT allowed me to fast track the process of becoming a qualified teacher. Given the network of schools the university works with, I was exposed to both government and independent learning sectors throughout my degree. As a result, I learnt about the triumphs and challenges that can come from any educational setting and how to teach students from a range of backgrounds. Whilst completing this course, the assessments were also designed to ensure students were creating resources they could use one day as teachers in the classroom. I feel like I left the course with a full teaching toolkit that I could use in the real world once I graduated.
What aspects of the course were most beneficial?
The emphasis on practical learning and the professional experience I gained throughout my studies at QUT provided me with opportunities to take my class learnings into the real world. It was also invaluable being taught by lecturers and tutors who still worked in classrooms themselves, ensuring we had access to firsthand knowledge and the best practice ideas.
What was it like returning to study and how were you supported by QUT as an online student?
Returning to study after a period in the workforce was a scary concept. The work-life balance I had become accustomed to changed overnight and I had to adapt to juggling competing priorities again. The option to study online certainly made this juggle more feasible and I found QUT’s online learning support network an invaluable resource. I’ve always been a keen learner and returning to study was made easier once I realised that I had made an exciting and fitting career change. The course was tailored incredibly well to online learning by allowing working students to continue their studies without having to attend campus. Recorded and asynchronous options ensured that I always had access to the content I required.
How have you managed your work and other commitments, as well as study?
Given the nature of the online learning mode of my course, I was able to continue working to support myself throughout the duration of my course. Likewise, it also enabled me to undertake a school readiness program in my final year without having to sacrifice my own class time or study schedule.
