What is your role at QACI, and what subjects do you teach?
I am one of the Dance teachers at QACI, a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) teacher and the TOK Coordinator.
What inspired you to become a teacher, and what do you love most about working in the IB program?If you had asked me when I was in high school if I wanted to be a teacher, I would have said no! But after some years working, teaching at dance schools and being Rehearsal Director at Ballet Theatre of Queensland (BTQ), I discovered how much a loved supporting young people to become artists. The thing I love most about the IB program in Dance, is the focus on Dance for intention and artistry, rather than purely on skill and aesthetic. I also love TOK as it encouraged students to reflect on perspectives different from their own, and teaches empathy. How do you bring real-world connections into your teaching? Any exciting collaborations or projects?My previous experience working in the Dance industry has fostered my passion of creating dance experiences that mimic that current industry. Due to this, we don’t have “Dance Showcases” as commonly seen in schools, but create productions with a similar structure to a professional dance show, connecting our learning to real-world experiences. This also builds a community across the year levels at QACI and allows students to take on choreographic roles. I love bringing in current industry professionals to work with our students, supporting their performance skills, their choreographic approaches and allowing them to experience cultural dance styles they have never tried. We regularly work with artists through Phluxus2Dance Collective, as well as cultural artists in a range of styles, including Hula, Samoan, Bollywood, Irish, Highland and Chinese Ribbon and Fan. We also have alumni come back to share their learning experiences; Angela Warr from QACI’s 2024 class has come back this week to share her learning from the New Zealand School of Dance. Can you share a memorable teaching moment or student success story?Last year, when taking Dance students to see a show, at interval, a student turned to me and started excitedly discussing what they had seen in the performance that aligned to their Dance work at QACI. Seeing the students make the connection between the skills being taught and professional works is very fulfilling. Light bulb moments in class are equally rewarding; seeing students make choices, problem solve and evaluate their artist decisions to create meaning and impact. What’s something unique about QACI’s learning experience that sets it apart?Inquiry based learning, where the student’s voice is part of the experience helps shape the Dance classroom. I love being able to create experiences based on the students in front of me to support their strengths. Our strong partnerships with industry professionals also sets our learning experiences apart and allows for students to learn from a range of artists. Do you have any interesting career highlights, achievements, or passions outside of teaching?A career highlight for me as a performer was performing in Salon, choreographed by Timothy Brown, and performed at the Judith Wright Centre, and working the Pair Dance Company in London in the two years I lived there. At QACI, seeing the students come together for the shows each year is definitely a highlight. Currently my main passion outside of teaching is raising my 4-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter, and I had a lovely time in these last holidays watching my daughter prepare for her Primary RAD Ballet exam. I also enjoy travelling, reading and gardening. And I'm a big Sydney Swans AFL fan. What’s one piece of advice you’d give students for their future?I’ll be cheeky and give two pieces of advice:Everything will be ok. Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now, it will.You don’t have to know right now; what you are going to do with your life, what your next job will be. Being open-minded can open doors and there’s no need to have everything decided now. Which IB Learner Profile Resonates the most and why?Balance stands out to me the most. Balancing the fun with the mundane jobs that need to be done, balancing which assignments you might be working on, balancing work life, family and social commitments. I think balance is an important IB Learner Profile practise in school to help you for the future.