WWW.PUSHINGFOREDUCATION.COM

Yosemite National Park 2010

I would like to use the following slides to explain

who I am and why I chose to return to school to

study teaching.

In 2004 while watching the students from a small country school struggle through

an interschool X-country event, I recognised a need for some more structured

training as a way of turning the event into one with less tears and more reason to

celebrate.

Dixons Creek Primary School gave me permission to develop an after-school running club:

THE CREEKY CRAWLY CLUB

I anticipated half a dozen children to attend, but for the three years I was there, attendance ranged from 12 – 28 students every Monday night, 40 weeks of the year.

THE OUTCOME?

For the first time in 14 years, the school won the Perpetual Trophy at the Inter-school X-country event, and managed to keep the trophy for further two years after that.

The club was not focussed on WINNING as much as ACHIEVING.

Our students did not have superior athletic ability, but I do believe they had superior attitudes. As a result the children had every reason to celebrate.

The Principal, Sharon Walker

was a wonderful supporter of

the club and soon offered me

the position of Sports Coach

at the school.

It was during this time that

Sharon urged me to seriously

consider returning to school

to become a teacher, as she

believed strongly that I ’have

a way with kids’.

Fortunately, I took her advice!

I believe in life-long learning.

I find great reward imparting knowledge, and contributing to the preparation of students for life beyond school.

Life is to be celebrated, education is a huge part of this.

As a teacher I will :

... be an active member of my profession.

... get to know my students.

... know how my students learn, and develop

strategies to teach them effectively.

...use a range of teaching resources to engage

students in effective learning.

...create and maintain safe and challenging

learning environments.

...know the content I teach.

...plan, program, assess and report for

effective learning.

... Reflect on, evaluate and improve my

professional knowledge and practice.

I WILL ALSO:

16 APRIL – 19 MAY 2011

As an enthusiastic cyclist, I chose to ride unsupported from Newcomb Secondary College –

Geelong (Vic) to Charles Darwin University – Darwin (NT) where my degree awaited me.

Nearly 4000 km (2340 miles) in 32 days with one rest day.

Why?

To raise awareness about the importance of education.

It’s SO important, I was willing to ride across a continent to

finalise mine!

Aim High!!!Future Goals:

• To continue to work on content

knowledge.

• To undertake post-graduate studies to

complement my teaching degree.

• To continually assess my

performance and implement changes

when necessary.

• To maintain an active and healthy

lifestyle.

• To set achievable goals

• Face challenges

• Find solutions

• To be the best teacher I can be.

• It is never too late!

• It is worth it!

• If I can do it.....

ANYONE can!

Thank you for taking the time to watch this presentation.

If nothing else, I hope it shows that I do not shy away from

challenges, and the next challenge I am looking forward to is

the commencement of an exciting and successful teaching

career.

Kerry

My sons: Luke 16 and Jesse 14