The Courage to Innovate By Christine Shannon, Director of Professional Learning and Research
We can all no doubt recall a time in our schooling when a passionate teacher ignited our desire to learn. It may have been in an area we had previously found uninteresting, or it may have been that they shared a love of our favourite subject. Something about the teacher’s enthusiasm got us hooked, and before we realised it we were working harder than we had ever worked, and achieving a depth of understanding that we did not often experience. This is every teacher’s dream: that their students will be interested in the learning activities they have thoughtfully planned, and that each student will achieve success. It seems an unrealistic dream given the diversity of interests, dispositions and capabilities of a school population. But imagine walking into a classroom where every child in the room is engaged and active and taking personal responsibility for their learning. Imagine a room full of students so interested in an activity that they rush in after break time to get back to the task, demonstrating endless patience, focus and persistence. Over the past year I have been in the fortunate position to be invited into classrooms to participate in and observe the learning of students at The Geelong College. What I have seen on many occasions comes very close to the dream. By design, not by accident, teams of teachers are collaborating and engaging in professional learning to develop a scope and sequence curriculum that reaches every student at the point of need. In evidence is the commitment, professionalism and expertise of a talented group of educators who are energised by the learning outcomes that their students are achieving, and excited about sharing this learning with each other and with schools in our region.
14 Ad Astra Issue No 130
Our teachers come in all shapes and sizes, ages, and years of experience. What they have in common is a passion for teaching and learning that cannot fail to inspire their students. Here are just a few teachers who are doing great things across the College: James Colbert: Middle School teacher, Maker Network coordinator, innovator Fabio D’Agostin: scientist, teacher-researcher, innovator Kevin Flanagan: mathematician, thought explorer, pastoral leader Tom Hodge: graduate teacher, rowing coach, collaborator Amanda Jackman: scientist, pastoral leader, inspirational teacher Kevin Jess: design and technology leader, collaborator, innovator Will Johnston: Middle School teacher, environmentalist, innovator Ros Molyneux: early childhood educator, teacherresearcher, leader Carol Morris: English teacher, pre-service teacher coach, collaborator Emma O’Callaghan: English specialist, pastoral leader, innovator Jo Panckridge: writer, reader, lover of books, literacy leader Ian Sheppard: mathematician, leader, innovator Fiona Stafford: Middle School teacher, teacher-researcher, innovator Jane Utting: health and physical education teacher, leader, innovator Kelly Watson: mathematician, teacher-researcher, innovator Emma Watters: Junior School teacher, teacher-researcher, innovator