She always manages to do this with a high level of respect and patience , knowledge and expertise , to provide the very best care and support for the boys with whom she is working . Scotch is fortunate to have Suzie as part of our highly important team .
CHERYL HARRISON – DIRECTOR OF LEARNING SUPPORT
What do you enjoy most about your role ?
INTERVIEW :
DR SUSAN ROGERS
INTEGRATION AIDE
As an Integration Aide we join the students in all aspects of their day ; for the creative literacy and numeracy activities in the classroom , through to participating in the variety of specialist programs . We are alongside the boys , supporting them as they learn everything from pottery techniques in Art , new footy skills in PE , trying their hand at woodwork and creating their own recipe for muesli bars . It can be a lot of fun and I am often learning as much as the students !
I also love the people I work with . There is no one pathway to working in a school , and everyone has had such varied and
Do you have a mantra or philosophy that guides you ?
Suzie was welcomed at Scotch in the role of an Integration Aide in 2020 . Her professional background was strong , having achieved a Doctorate of Psychology ( Educational and Developmental ) and also having worked for the Parenting Research Centre , Genazzano FCJ College , and multiple committees while raising her own three children .
Suzie first began working as an integration aide in 2018 before making the move to Scotch . Her first couple of years in the Junior School here were remarkable and indeed memorable , as we navigated our way through multiple lockdowns . Her expertise to have on campus through that time was highly valued and appreciated .
Since we have returned to more normality , Suzie has used her many strengths to help us support multiple boys , mostly within the lower primary area . interesting experiences prior to and during their time at Scotch . Whether people have come directly from study or have spent time in other careers , everyone brings a different perspective and approach .
Having such a diverse staff team is a constant reminder that there ’ s no one way of doing something and that there is always another angle to consider . It is a joy to work with such passionate and hardworking people .
What is the best advice you have ever received ?
When in doubt , be kind . We never know what someone else is dealing with or what they might find overwhelming . It isn ’ t always easy to be kind , but it ’ s fantastic to see students acting with kindness towards those who might be having a tough moment .
To challenge myself and try new things . It ’ s easy to stay within your comfort zone but so much more rewarding to try something new and see what you are capable of . I tried my first fun triathlon only a few years ago , and each year since I have pushed myself a little more so that this year , I competed in my first Olympic distance triathlon .
It hasn ’ t been without obstacles – I suffered concussion falling off my bike riding to Scotch a few years ago – but students are challenging themselves every day learning new skills and ways of doing things , and I try to do the same . My next challenge will be a half-marathon – I ’ m not sure if I ’ ll manage it , but I won ’ t know unless I try !
Of course , we can only can take on challenges when we have support , and I try to be that support to the students I work with .
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