STAFF IN PROFILE history teacher . By the time I was employed by Scotch in 2010 as a German teacher , my two sons were one and four years old . It is hard to believe that they are already in Year 9 and Year 12 , both enjoying their own Scotch journey .
INTERVIEW :
PETA MIEDECKE ( USHER )
GERMAN TEACHER , INDIGENOUS ACADEMIC PROGRAMS COORDINATOR AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT TEACHER
Let ’ s start by finding out about your background prior to working at Scotch . Please tell us a bit about yourself .
I studied German , Japanese and History at Melbourne University and I really wanted a job that involved my interest in languages and travel , so in 1997 I applied for a German-speaking role with the Australian Tourist Commission in London , in the European Head Office .
It was a wonderful first job and a fantastic opportunity – I spent my days speaking to Germans encouraging them to travel to Australia , and then on the weekends and on holidays I would travel around the UK and to Europe . I returned to Melbourne and worked in the event tourism industry for a few years , but I really wanted a job where I could use my German . I then saw the light and returned to university and do my teaching degree !
My first teaching job was at Mentone Girls ’ Grammar in 2002 . I knew I had chosen the right career as I absolutely loved teaching from the very first day . Sometimes I would be teaching a prep class German songs and games in the morning , and then the next period I would be teaching German essay writing to a Year 12 class – I really enjoyed the variety .
I then worked in Abu Dhabi for a couple of years , working with schools as an education consultant for the Abu Dhabi Ministry of Education . Living in the United Arab Emirates was fascinating and yet bizarre . Returning to Melbourne , I did a stint at PLC as a
Could you tell us about your role and the activities you have previously or currently been involved with at Scotch ?
I am currently a German teacher at Scotch , and also the Indigenous Academic Programs Coordinator . I really enjoy working closely with the Indigenous students at Scotch to help them reach their academic potential .
I believe passionately in lifelong learning , and in 2016 I completed a Master of Special Education – since then I have also been working in the Centre for Learning with students who have learning difficulties as an Academic Support Teacher . I have also been a Year 7 Form Teacher , participated in many Year 7 and Year 8 camps , and I have been involved with the badminton team .
What generally constitutes some of the highlights of your week and keeps on motivating you ?
It ’ s the same thing that motivated me when I started teaching more than 20 years ago – getting away from my desk and working with young people . I have always loved school and learning . It is wonderful to see students make a connection and get enthusiastic about something they have just learned . I also value the special relationships that you develop with students .
You never have the same class / same teaching experience / same day twice – every day is full of surprises and unique moments . Teaching is one of those jobs that no matter how you feel or what mood you are in when you walk through the classroom door , you put all that aside and live in the moment . When you teach you have to be present , and I think that ’ s wonderful .
On a personal note , would you mind sharing some of your passions and hobbies ?
I love going for walks around the wetlands of Williamstown , which is where I live – the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary is teeming with diverse bird and marine life , and when visiting this little pocket of tranquillity I feel quite rejuvenated ! I also love eating and cooking . In the holidays , I enjoy trying out new recipes and doing a bit of experimenting in the kitchen , but my sons would probably prefer that I stick to the old family favourites !
Everyone loves a good story , so are there any particular anecdotes or memories that you could share with us ?
You may know that German has a lot of words that to the English speaker may sound like English swear words . When I started at Scotch , during parent-teacher interviews a parent queried me about using inappropriate language in the classroom , and that her Year 7 son had come home from school and told his mum that I had been swearing at the students in class .
I was mortified ! However , it turned out that when I was saying the word ‘ school subject ’ in German ( which is ‘ Fach ’), it sounded as if I was saying a certain swear word in English that begins with the letter F ! The moral of the story is this one : it is very important to study languages so that we can avoid such embarrassing miscommunications !
66 Great Scot Issue 169 – September 2023