NEW STAFF LAURA CREMIN LOTE Teacher
FELICIA CHEN Science Teacher
AMY WEBB PDHPE Teacher
Language, communication, culture and travel have always been great loves of mine and have driven my career choices.
My experience of studying Science at school was a very positive one thanks to teachers who made it exciting, engaging and relevant. They were role-models who encouraged me to ask questions about the world around me, and seek answers in a way that was stimulating, challenging and enjoyable. That’s the kind of teacher I aim to be.
The seeds of my love for the school environment were sewn by my Kindergarten teacher, an inspiring woman who taught me how to knit, make the best scones from scratch and milk a cow. She also ensured my manners were impeccable at all times. Little wonder I once accidentally addressed her as “Nan”! She brought to life a belief that what happens in the classroom must be informed by real world experience and a giving heart. My desire to become a teacher dates back to our time together and, like her, I am motivated by the desire to have a positive impact on the lives of others.
Initially I pursued a career in Speech Pathology, completing a Bachelor of Health Science (Hearing and Speech) degree before overseas travel opportunities led me to a career in the travel industry. I filled a number of sales, reservations, travel consultant and travel coordinator roles and worked as a tour guide throughout western and central Europe over a five-year period. My favourite destination was Spain, where I fell in love with both the language and culture. I started teaching English as a Foreign Language in Peru and Mexico, providing classes in general English, business English and English for the tourism industry. I continued this work in Spain, where I had the opportunity to develop my skills with young learners in both primary and high school settings. These rewarding experiences inspired me to commit to a career teaching languages in high school on my return to Australia. While teaching general and academic English courses to international students in Sydney, I completed a Diploma of Language Studies (Spanish and Latin American Studies), followed by a Master of Teaching (Secondary) at the University of Sydney. I completed my final teaching internship in 2015 while conducting my Professional Research Project on the subject of maximising target language use in the classroom.
After school I undertook a Bachelor of Medical Science degree at the University of Technology, Sydney, and while studying supported myself by working as a recreational dance teacher. I found it extremely rewarding to pass my knowledge onto my students and watch them work hard to achieve their goals. I realised that teaching would allow me to share my passion for science and that it was the professional path I wanted to follow. I am currently completing a Master of Teaching (Secondary) in Biology and Chemistry at the University of New South Wales and will graduate later this year. It’s an absolute pleasure to teach at Wenona, with its strong sense of community and leadership. I feel extremely privileged to be part of this School, where the staff is as dedicated and passionate about passing on knowledge as the girls are about learning.
I began my Bachelor of Education (Personal Development, Health & Physical Education) at the University of Wollongong intending to specialise in primary schools, where there was an ongoing need for development. But upon graduation another path presented itself and I secured a position at St Clare’s College, Waverley. I spent 10 years at St Clare’s refining the ‘art and craft’ of my practice and holding multiple positions including Director of Sport, Head of Department and Dean of House. At Wenona, with its strong reputation for providing excellence through ‘service learning’, I am able to continue to grow as an educator. I’m passionate about contributing to the development of global, empowered and accomplished young women, sharing with today’s students the ideals I was taught so many moons ago.
I am thrilled to have joined Wenona’s LOTE department and excited to be introducing Spanish to the Languages curriculum at the school. The enthusiasm I have encountered in the classroom has been most encouraging and I am looking forward to strengthening the students’ engagement with Spanish language and culture. I aim to take full advantage of both my own in-country experiences and the latest online resources to make the learning as relevant as possible to the girls’ lives so they reap the rewards of foreign language skills and intercultural understanding long into the future.
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