What inspired you to pursue teaching, and what do you find most rewarding about working in education?
In my own education, I was lucky enough to have two excellent male teachers who made a big impact on me. One was a teacher of religious education and the other my Year 6 teacher. I can’t always pinpoint what it was they did to leave a lasting impression, but the way they interacted with students and their character left in me a desire to emulate and show students the same care and support to help them grow and mature into the strong global citizens that run our world today. As a teacher, I find the meeting of theory and practice fascinating, specifically about how to take research and apply it to the classroom. One of the big questions that interests me is ‘How do we learn?’ and how the brain aligns and organises to make us the humans we are today.
Tell us a bit about your journey - what led you to teach at Oxley?
I studied hospitality management in Sydney immediately after school and worked in hotels for 10 years. I trained in concierge, front desk and reservations and enjoyed travelling and visiting hotels within the hotel chain. I then revaluated my career and decided that I wanted to make an impact and retrained as a teacher at Sydney University. I was lucky enough to work in some well-established schools and enjoyed searching deep into the theory of teaching while working at schools to implement my learning. I started at Oxley in 2018 and have enjoyed teaching here ever since then.
What do you hope students remember most about their time in your classroom?
I enjoy creating an inclusive and enjoyable classroom environment where everyone shows respect and does their best. I hope that students remember feeling like they were nurtured and supported as they experienced interesting and creative learning. We have such wonderful students at Oxley and I have loved teaching them, watching them move into the senior school, greeting me with a smile as they walk past and even having the privilege of watching some of my students graduate and follow their passions after school.
When you're not at school, what are some things you love doing or exploring?
Since we bought our home, I have discovered and developed an enjoyment of gardening. There is always a job to do but it is nice to be outdoors, chatting to neighbours who go by and to see the (sometimes literal) fruit of our labours. I also enjoy reading and staying fit and would love to play more music.
What's your favourite thing about the Southern Highlands?
Both my wife and I have family connections to the Highlands from when we were young and so the move was not so much a surprising one. We love the beautiful open spaces and for me, the places to run and explore. It’s a great place to raise children and we feel so privileged to call the Highlands home. I’ve loved seeing Oxley grow into the school it is today and can’t wait to see how it continues to grow in the future.
