What is your job?
I am an Assistant Principal of a P-12 school. My job firstly entails supporting the Principal with the demands of his role. In particular, I have delegated responsibilities that form part of my regular activities. My focus is on classroom teaching and supporting teachers to develop their practice to provide engaging 21st Century lessons to support student growth and development. I am part of the senior executive team that set the vision and strategic direction for the school. In particular, as the Assistant Principal, it is my job to put the strategic direction into practice; I do this by leading and organising staff, by providing the professional development they need and by ensuring they have the resources they need to effectively execute their duties.
How did you get it?
I have progressed through a variety of Leadership Roles within Education. I have been a Year Advisor, focused on Welfare, a Head of Department, focused on curriculum development, and a Director of Teaching and Learning, focused on professional development and student improvement.
Even before beginning my career formally, I have been interested in children and have worked in a variety of volunteer and employed roles focused on children, including running Sunday School Classes and Youth Groups, being a Leader on Camps, working in Early Childhood and Co-ordinating an Out of School Hours Care Centre, as well as providing private tuition. Some of these jobs supported me while I studied for the qualifications necessary to become a teacher.
I have a Bachelor of Music, Graduate Diploma of Education, Graduate Diploma of Mathematics and a Masters of Educational Leadership. I am also part of external professional bodies and take on responsibility and leadership within those roles. I have provided professional development for teachers at Conferences with a variety of Professional Bodies. I am also a Senior Marker for the HSC.
When the need arose I replaced the Deputy Principal for blocks of time. I have taken opportunities, and created a few of my own, to take the lead in implementing short term projects and have taken the initiative to propose improvement plans when I saw needs within the school at my various levels of responsibility.
All of these leadership roles have provided me with the experiences needed to develop the organisational and people skills needed to be a successful Assistant Principal.
Why do you love it?
I have a heart for children and I want to see them prepared to contribute to our society in the future. The best part of my job is watching the excitement in a teacher’s face when they tell you how exciting it was when they implemented a new teaching strategy and the students gained something from it. I am so proud when I see the achievements of our students; even more so when I see them step out and humbly give and/or serve people they see who are in need. Over the years I have had the joy of watching students who have struggled, stretch themselves and grow into passionate and capable young people who make a difference in their workplace and community.
What is your connection to Penrith?
I have lived in Penrith most of my life. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Western Sydney, now WSU. I am involved in local community groups and work at a school within Penrith.