and influence

WOMEN IN TEACHING: THEIR ROLE AND INFLUENCE

As competent, hardworking women, we can be a great example to our girls and also challenge poor male behaviour towards women.”

Catherine Litchfield, Head of Science

Kinross Wolaroi School’s Head of Agriculture Jody Haydon and Head of Science Catherine Litchfield navigated different paths to teaching. Jody considered teaching after university but started her career in agricultural science and research - an experience she’ll be forever grateful for.

After 12 years as a scientific officer and while on maternity leave, Jody heeded the advice of a co-worker to reconsider teaching. She became a laboratory assistant while juggling motherhood, supporting her husband and completing a teaching diploma via distance. Jody’s now been teaching at KWS for eight years.

Catherine, on the other hand, knew early on that she wanted to pursue a career in teaching. She enjoys teaching

Science and particularly, the challenge of breaking down tricky concepts. She can relate to the difficulties faced by students and this enables her to facilitate the learning of abstract concepts. Catherine also acknowledges the importance of emotional connections and teacherstudent relationships, gained in part through her roles as Head Tutor of

Douglas House for 15 years, Lieutenant in the Cadet program, Director of the

School musicals, and coach of a variety of sporting teams. What unites these bright women is their enthusiasm for showing the next generation of young women that anything is possible - even in maledominated industries.

“Setting good examples as strong role models is very important,” said Catherine. “As competent, hardworking women, we can be a great example to our girls and also challenge poor male behaviour towards women.”

Catherine stands proud as the first female Head of Science at KWS and coauthor of 11 Biology textbooks used by high school students across NSW, WA, VIC and QLD.

“In one of my first parent-teacher interviews at KWS, I had a father acknowledge with shock that I was his daughter’s Chemistry teacher,” said Catherine. “He thought I would be a man and told me so! I was so proud to be able to teach his daughter. She was one of my best students. We proved to her dad what a great decision it was for her to study Science and that women can succeed in Science too.”

Jody is equally proud to influence the future of Australian farming by fostering the next generation and showcasing the latest technologies and innovations in her lessons. Equally, she uses her role to teach young people about respect, empathy and vulnerability.

“My students can chat with me about sport, their weekends, what they’re worried about etc. and in return, they ask me the same questions,” said Jody. “I feel like we have an obligation to help create inclusive, decent humans who know how to interact with each other in a co-educational environment.”

Catherine and Jody not only hope to inspire the next generation of farmers and scientists but also teachers and women living in rural and regional areas.

“It’s very cliché, but teaching really is a great career for women!” said Catherine. “Although it had its challenges, teaching in the same school as my children meant I was able to pop into the swimming and athletic carnivals, be involved with them in the musical and coach them in sport.”

“I love the students we have here at KWS. I enjoy learning about everyone and creating opportunities for students so they can experience the light-bulb moments when something makes sense and they can use that in a real-world situation,” said Jody. “I also love the dynamic nature of agriculture and the ever-increasing innovations that ensure the continued success of Australian agricultural production. Every job has its frustrations or challenges, but I can honestly say I love what I do.”

Both women value working alongside a strong cohort of men and women at KWS, acknowledging that each gender and individual has their strengths.

Creating a co-educational environment where men and women are respectful of each other, working successfully together and building opportunities for their students is essential as part of our goal to model appropriate behaviour for the rest of their lives.”

Jody Haydon, Head of Agriculture “Creating a co-educational environment where men and women are respectful of each other, working successfully together and building opportunities for their students is essential as part of our goal to model appropriate behaviour for the rest of their lives,” said Jody. “Just in our little faculty, each staff member has a ‘speciality’ within Agriculture. This means we are collectively better and can create more opportunities for our students by learning, sharing and being part of a team.” “It is very important for students to have key adults and role models in their lives,” said Catherine. “In particular, it is very important to have male primary teachers. A range of ages, genders and types of people are so important in a school. Having diversity is important for students to be able to interact and work with a range of personalities. It prepares them for life.” •