Learning to teach

Kelsey Woodards is eager to get into the classroom and put her learnings into action.

Kelsey started volunteering for Playford 10, a City of Playford project that works with Year 4 and 5 students to connect them to ongoing activities in 2020.

She first found out about the program when she enrolled into her teaching degree at the University of South Australia.

“I reached out instantly, this is exactly how I want to contribute to the community – this is exactly what I want to do,” she said.

Playford 10 works with students at Elizabeth Grove and Elizabeth Vale primary schools linking their talents and strengths into sports, arts or volunteering activities in the community.

Kelsey has supported the project in after-hours school activities such as basketball, tennis and gaming.

The experience of working with children in the early stages of study has helped build her confidence.

“It’s helped in terms of behaviour management and understanding children,” she said.

And it is through this passion that the young teacher-in-themaking has gone on to gain employment with the Playford 10 program and has also started tutoring.

“It feels like I’m in the right place, it’s where I am meant to be and it’s what I’ve always wanted to do and it feels great that I can do that while I’m studying,” Kelsey said. “It’s important to have that experience working with the community because there is something more we need to do for some kids outside the classroom, so I’m glad I can contribute that way.”

Karen Inwood, Lecturer of Arts Education at the University of South Australia, said the volunteering program helped student teachers understand the educational model and support in planning, adaptability, practical lessons and networking.

“Playford 10 offers a lot more natural, organic flow between these student teachers and the participants,” Ms Inwood said. “They are coming up from that grassroots level with a greater depth of understanding and a more lateral understanding of what it is to be an educator.”

Fast facts.

• Playford 10 has supported more than 26 volunteers since its inception into schools • In 2020, more than 45 per cent of young volunteers have gone on to gain further employment in a related field such as youth work and school service officers