Just like Bilbo Baggins was plucked from relative obscurity when he least expected it,  I’m embarking on an unexpected adventure – the Master of Education (Teacher Librarian) at Charles Sturt University. Let’s get started!

I’ve been an English and History teacher at my old high school since 2011. In that time I’ve been uniquely privileged to continuously teach both of these subjects, and love delivering fun and exciting lessons to our wonderful variety of students. I’m known for my love of semi-colons (the sexiest punctuation mark), for being married to Shakespeare (just don’t mention that he’s been dead for over 400 years and it won’t get weird), and trying to make everything into a game, like some borderline-delusional Mary Poppins impersonator. I particularly love extending Gifted and High Potential students, and I’ve been very fortunate to have taught both the History and English extension courses throughout my career. This job has literally taken me around the world, since I’ve been fortunate enough to organise two overseas excursions to Italy, Germany, Poland, Belgium, and France for our Stage 6 Ancient and Modern history students. We would have gone again this year but alas! Covid19 sucks.

Unfortunately, our school demographics are changing and in 2019 we experienced a significant increase in violent behaviour. As a result, in two separate fights I sustained several serious injuries which meant that at the end of last year I had to undergo shoulder reconstruction surgery. I was quite nervous about returning to the classroom where I’d be exposed to possible reinjury and where my decreased functionality in my right arm would impact my teaching. But every cloud has a silver lining, and things fell into place! The previous Teacher Librarian decided that it was time for a change of scenery, and I was lucky enough to be successful in my application to fill this role in a temporary capacity. But things moved a little faster than I anticipated and last term I had to make a tough decision – to apply for the TL position permantently, or return to the classroom. To be or not to be, indeed! Slings and arrows and all that jazz.

After significant to-ing and fro-ing (and many risk/benefit lists!) I decided to apply for the permanent TL position. Once again the stars aligned in my favour! At the end of last term I was successful in my application and am now the permanently appointed Teacher Librarian. Only problem is, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM DOING!!! Light the beacons! Gondor calls for aid!

So here I am, enrolled in yet another Master degree. I know the next two years of study are going to be challenging, but I’m excited to learn how to better support my colleagues and the students we teach as they move through their own education journeys.

Thank you for coming to my TedTalk.