STAFF SPOTLIGHT
introducing. .
Mari Green
Brenton de Villiers
Elda Cappi
Rite Journey Coordinator
English Language Teacher
Head of Department (Early Years)
Trinity Anglican College
ASC Language School
Swan Valley Anglican Community School
When I was in high school I would have never imagined I would become a teacher. I always knew I wanted to work in finance and business so my aim was to complete a Bachelor of Business Accounting. However, part way through my degree, I realised this occupation did not fulfil me. Growing up on a sheep and cattle farm in Talgarno Victoria, I had a passion for Agriculture and my mentor at the time advised me to combine my love of business with agriculture. This enabled me to pursue a career in agribusiness for the next 4 years after completing my accounting degree.
First born in South Africa, my family and I migrated to New Zealand before relocating to Western Australia in 2007. While living in Perth, I see the world as my home. One of my favourite travel destinations is Japan. I find its history and architecture, modern and traditional, fascinating. Even more so, just how different the Japanese language is to English and all the complexities that come with it (like the several levels of formality you need to know to address someone correctly).
I started as an Education Assistant in the school’s foundation year (2006). I recall having to set up the classrooms, walking across sand carrying furniture from one building to the other. Although there were limited resources, the atmosphere and morale of the staff was one of excitement and positivity. We were all very keen to meet the new students and their families.
It wasn’t until I began training graduates in my current role that I found my passion for teaching. My family thought I was crazy to leave my role in agribusiness to become a teacher. However, they now see it is the best decision I have ever made. Teaching to me isn’t a job if you love what you do. Teaching has helped me fulfil my passions and experience some amazing teaching moments. Since commencing at Trinity in 2018, I have been teaching in the HSIE department, taken on the role of Rite Journey Co-ordinator for our Year 9 Students and have introduced the College to Agriculture. Teaching students content and curriculum is only one aspect of teaching that I love; my main passion is community involvement. For the past two years at Trinity I have managed the co-curricular Rural Fire Service (RFS) Cadets for our Year 9-10 students and have provided students with resilience and growth through the Rite Journey Program. These programs provide students with life skills, networking and actively being part of the community. I believe education and community involvement is key to success in life.
Because of my interest in travel and global cultures and languages, I specialised in linguistics and Japanese at the University of Western Australia, then followed by a Graduate Diploma of Secondary Education in TESOL and LOTE at Edith Cowan University. However, I still felt dissatisfied with my knowledge in second language acquisition, so I gained a Master of TESOL at Curtin University to ground my teaching practice. Now at the ASC Language School, I enjoy helping students from diverse nationalities and linguistic backgrounds transition to mainstream studies. It has been an interesting journey so far. During my first year at the Language School, we pivoted to remote learning in Term 1 and continued with a hybrid teaching model where we taught students on campus as well as new remote students. This year the Language School programs have expanded to help language development for many different types of students. I am enjoying helping to create some of our new courses and looking forward to seeing them grow. When we are able to travel again, I look forward to meeting my students in person. And most definitely I will be found in a traditional Izakaya in Kyoto drinking some fine sake.
In 2008 I was offered the opportunity to teach Italian from Pre-Primary to Year 7. This was an experience that led me to realise that I had a passion for teaching, and I was encouraged by my colleagues to pursue this passion. To this day, this decision remains as one of my greatest highlights here at SVACS. Each role I have had has not only allowed me to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone, but to also follow my passion and teach students to be critical thinkers and develop their thirst for knowledge. More recently, having the opportunity to challenge myself further in my current role, has given me the opportunity to support others and develop leadership skills. I feel very lucky to be part of a school that has a holistic and inclusive philosophy to teaching and learning. The management are supportive and approachable and are also willing to listen to the ideas of others. The staff are friendly, and the students are respectful. Although the school has grown immensely over the years, I feel the pastoral care and compassion for others has remained the same.
ASC News 19
