Leadership Profile

Meet the

Teacher MS JULIA WHITE

“The best people you meet in life are the ones who are boldly different and challenge you to view the world in a completely different way.”

Since beginning teaching as a graduate teacher in 2017, Ms Julia White has shared her love of history with many and inspired hundreds of students to delve back into the past in order to reflect on the present and the future. In addition to her current role as Domain Leader: Humanities, Julia has taught Humanities and English across Years 7-10, VCE English, VCE Business Management – but her true passion lies in Year 12 History: Revolutions.

What inspired you to become a Humanities and English teacher?

Every teacher is biased about the subjects they teach but I can conclusively say that Humanities and English are the best subjects haha! At school, these subjects opened my eyes to the world I lived in and inspired me to want to do and be better. One of the greatest things the world needs now as we move through these challenging times is empathy. Empathy is needed to understand the different experiences of those around us so that we can engage in real dialogue with them to create meaningful change. I want to be a teacher who opens the minds of the next generation and equips them with the knowledge and skills to have those difficult conversations and make that change. Humanities and English are subjects that provide the best space to achieve this.

What is your favourite aspect of being a teacher?

There is a lot to love about being a teacher. I love when students ask wacky and weird questions that take the class in a completely different direction. I love the moment where you see it click for students and something that was once daunting and difficult is suddenly understood. I love seeing students find something to be passionate and excited about. I love the history memes – every single one!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I’m a big believer in having a few different hobbies on the go at all times. I spend my time playing tennis and futsal (to varying degrees of success), seeing every single musical theatre performance that comes to Melbourne, perfecting the ultimate potato taco recipe, listening to obscure podcasts on movies and history and bartering with friends and family to gain access to as many streaming services as possible – I almost have the full set now!

What did you study in VCE?

I entered Year 12 still unsure about where I was heading so I chose subjects purely based on what I was interested in learning more about. I cannot recommend this enough! This led me to a delightfully diverse combo of History: Revolutions, Health and Human Development, English, Maths Methods, Biology and French. I was eating croissants, learning about the human body, dissecting frogs and learning the key steps to planning a successful insurrection – it was a fun year!

Best advice to your younger self?

Be weird. In fact, be the weirdest. The best people you meet in life are the ones who are boldly different and challenge you to view the world in a completely different way.