Aspiring to leadership without forgetting my 'why'. There is nothing more important in a school than the student. The student is the very center of why we are here and the student should feel that importance. I provide students and staff with a safe and supportive environment and this starts with strong, healthy relationships. I am at the beginning of my teaching life and learning every day but something I never forget is why I am here. I am here for the students. I will always be here for the students.
Simon Sinek postulates that a great leader is like a great parent; they want to provide the best opportunities, education, guidance, and discipline when needed, all so the person they are leading can grow and achieve more. That is the leader I see in myself. I aspire to leadership so that I may lead others to be the best versions of themselves. This, in my mind, entails building an environment of trust and support, so that those in my team feel comfortable enough to innovate and provide the best educational outcomes possible. In my time as a teacher, I have felt safe, supported, and valued by my leaders and colleagues, and this has allowed me to explore a variety of opportunities to enhance student learning and educational outcomes and become a leader in scholastic Esports curriculum. It is, therefore, my goal in a leadership role to build leadership capacity in all members of my team.
"To me, a leader is someone who takes responsibility for finding potential in people and who has the courage to develop that potential.” - Brene Brown, Dare to Lead
Professional HistoryBuilding a strong digital learning environment across the school. This is being achieved through the implementation of a 1-to-1 device program with paralell capability building and digital upskilling for teachers. In 2024 I am also leading the implementation of a Virtual Reality classroom for students across Year 7-10.
The opportunities I have had at Sunnybank State High School to grow as a leader and have positive impact on student learning and wellbeing have been incredible.
It was an honour to be nationally recognised for the leadership I have shown early in my career.
It was an honour to be nationally recognised for the leadership I have shown over the last few years in scholastic Esports. I am using the award money to better myself as a leader and explore trauma-informed practice.
I have taught at Forest Lake High School since 2019 and have worked across the Digital Technologies, Mathematics and VET Departments to provide students with a variety of learning opportunities.
A major initiative I have led has been the development of Esports at Forest Lake SHS. Initially Esports was offered as an extra-curricular club and then I led the implementation of Esports as a curriculum subject in Year 7 and Year 9 in 2021. In 2022 there are four Esports curriculum classes spanning Year 9-11 with over 60 students engaged in these elective subjects. In 2023, Esports will become a Program of Excellence at Forest Lake SHS, with classes from Year 7-12.
When the Queensland University of Technology initially began planning and development of their Esports Diploma, they reached out to myself and my HoD to assist. With a team of three other QLD teachers and two QUT staff, I helped develop the initial course structure and unit outlines.
Undertook External Marker training and External marking for Digital Solutions in 2020 and 2021 to better understand the external assessment system and how the marking operation impacts student outcomes.
I have learned a great many things from participating in varsity football. It has changed my entire outlook on and attitude toward life. Before my freshman year at [high-school], I was shy, had low self-esteem and turned away from seemingly impossible challenges. Football has altered all of these qualities. On the first day of freshman practice, the team warmed up with a game of touch football. The players were split up and the game began. However, during the game, I noticed that I didn't run as hard as I could, nor did I try to evade my defender and get open. The fact of the matter is that I really did not want to be thrown the ball. I didn't want to be the one at fault if I dropped the ball and the play didn't succeed. I did not want the responsibility of helping the team because I was too afraid of making a mistake. That aspect of my character led the first years of my high school life. All the while, I went to practice.
I have learned a great many things from participating in varsity football. It has changed my entire outlook on and attitude toward life. Before my freshman year at [high-school], I was shy, had low self-esteem and turned away from seemingly impossible challenges. Football has altered all of these qualities. On the first day of freshman practice, the team warmed up with a game of touch football. The players were split up and the game began. However,
Portfolio
Esports Club and Aligned Curriculum (Program of Excellence)
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To engage high-achieving students in a career in education
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Building the capacity of staff to use ICTs across the curriculum
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Building connections with local Primary schools for our STEM offerings
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Australian Computer Society Gateway to Industry Schools Program
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Approach to curriculum building
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InterestOutside of teaching, which remains one of my largest passions, I thoroughly enjoy exploring new technologies (Crypto, Tesla, VR), gardening, watching movies, gaming and coding.
