Staff Spotlight - Megan Warburton
What is your role at QACI, and what subjects do you teach?
I teach Year 10 English, Year 11 and 12 Language and Literature, TOK, Extended Essay, CAS and Connect.
What inspired you to become a teacher, and what do you love most about working in the IB program?
Growing up, I always read. It was my favourite past time, and I read anything I could get my hands on. I even nerdily made borrowing cards and a cataloguing system for all of my books, and charged my sister fines for any damage she caused to my collection!
When I reached the end of my senior schooling, I thought about careers which would stem from my love of English and reading. I completed work experience at a local library in Tasmania, because I thought being a librarian would be right up my alley, but I quickly realised I had far too much energy and was far too enthusiastic (ummm… LOUD) to be a librarian. So… English teaching was an obvious alternative!
What I really love about the IB program is its balance. Having had sons who completed part of their studies in the British system and having taught the Australian curriculum for many years, I appreciate how the IB encourages a balanced, analytical and lifelong approach to learning.
How do you bring real-world connections into your teaching?
Any exciting collaborations or projects? My real-world connections are really about recognising that we are surrounded daily by English in every form of media. The IB challenges students to think critically about what they consume — whether it’s time spent scrolling Instagram or YouTube, watching TV series, or reading books and on-line articles. The discussions we have in class often extend into the real world because English is, in itself, a real-world connection.
Can you share a memorable teaching moment or student success story?
Of course, I have taught many students over my 30 years of teaching who have strived for, and achieved, academic success. However, I think one of my greatest successes as a teacher sits outside my curriculum field. Years ago, I taught two brothers who were finding life tough; they were living in the drainpipes of a local park and were just getting by day by day. One of the boys told me he came to school because my classroom was his only home -the safest place he could find himself. That has always stayed with me. A classroom isn’t just a place for transmitting knowledge, it’s a place of care, warmth, and connection, and I’m so lucky to share in building this, as part of my work.
What’s something unique about QACI’s learning experience that sets it apart?
To walk into QACI every day is to step into a sparkling, dynamic, vibrant environment. There is joy here, and enthusiasm. It’s not a place students drag themselves to just to ‘survive’ to the end of Year 12 — it’s somewhere they, and their teachers, want to be, and you can feel that. I’ve worked in many schools, and this is rare.
Do you have any interesting career highlights, achievements, or passions outside of teaching?
Some of my career highlights have been in leadership roles, such as my time as a Head of Department with Education Queensland. Outside of teaching, I’m passionate about travel and exploring other parts of the world. This passion has led to my family and I relocating to France twice over the last ten years, where I adored life in Paris and skiing in the mountains.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give students for their future?
Live large. Make your world BIG. It’s so easy to get caught in following the expected path and to simply do the next thing you feel that you “should” do. But fear and expectation shouldn’t keep you from stepping outside your comfort zone and really living life to its fullest.
Which IB Learner Profile Resonates the most and why?
Risk-taker- without a doubt! I love that this concept underpins learning in the IB programme, because it’s something that doesn’t sit within other curricula. Risk taking can be very daunting, especially for highly capable learners, because making mistakes can challenge the way we feel about ourselves, but it’s absolutely worth it!