Course you are enrolled in:
In 2008 I enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (In-Service). Because of the move towards national accreditation and the pending changes in 2013 for pre-schools and child care centres, I transferred to the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) in Semester 2, 2010. This will qualify me to work with children from birth to eight years of age.
Year currently enrolled in:
This is my fourth part-time year of study and I am currently half way through my Third Year of the course.
Any other post-secondary study before coming to uni? (e.g. TAFE, Adult Ed)
Previous school?
Prior to undertaking this undergraduate course I was last at school in 1980 when I completed year 12 which was then called Matriculation.
Why did you decide to come to uni/ Why did you decide to become a teacher?
Having worked as a support person for a number of years, I developed a yearning to do more for the students in my care and realised that this would only be possible with more knowledge. I had attended many Professional Development sessions, however often came away with many unanswered questions. I developed a personal need for much deeper understandings of the teaching and learning processes, particularly with regard to meeting individual students' needs.
Why did you choose UTAS?
When a flyer promoting the Bachelor of Education passed my Director's desk, this was the spark that gave me inspiration and planted the seed of thought which said I too could achieve this degree, thereby meeting my goal of providing quality education for the students with whom I work. As a mature-aged student, the flexibility of fully on-line study offerred by UTAS is ideal for me. It enables me to continue working and meeting family commitments while studying.
What is your favourite unit/subject? Why?
How could I possibly choose just one unit as my favourite! The personal and professional journey through each is invaluable. No two units are the same. Having exeperienced rote learning through the seventies, I find the diverse range of teaching and assessment methods presented by the unit co-ordinators and lecturers quite liberating. I value that these professionals are role-modelling personal characteristics and teaching methods which I hope to emulate in my own classroom.
As I had no prior higher education, submitting assessment pieces to university standard presented me with a steep learning curve. I am grateful that early units such Foundations of Teaching and Thinking and Writing at University provided all the support I needed to make this transition into academic writing.
Highlights of your study/experience so far?
I am very honoured to have been listed on the Dean's Roll of Excellence for my academic achievements in 2010. I have learnt that whilst it is always easier to see and cellebrate the successes of others, it is important that we also value our own worth as learners so that we can pass this quality on to our future students.
Any advice for future students?
As a fully on-line UTAS student, I am proud to to be part of the wonderfully supportive and collegiate community which exists within the Bachelor of Education. Acknowledging that distance education can feel isolating, I encourage new and existing students to immerse themselves in this community of learners. You will always receive as much support as you need from unit co-ordinators, lecurers and peers.
Where you would like to see yourself teaching in 5 years time?
Within the next five years my goal is to be teaching in a school for children with special needs.
Any other comments?
It is worth noting that because of the course accreditation process which was undertaken with relevant authorities in Victoria, teaching qualifications obtained through UTAS are accepted by a number of other states including South Australia and Victoria.