Great Scot May 2020 Great Scot 159_MAY 2020_ONLINE_V3 | Page 40

STAFF IN PROFILE
to be able to share my passion and shine a
new light on whatever it may be that we are
studying.
Outside of the classroom I am heavily
involved in the co-curricular Drama program
Scotch offers. I am lucky enough to
work alongside some amazingly talented
colleagues, and I think Scotch produces
some of the highest level of student theatre
I have ever seen.
The best part of my job would have to
be in the classroom – when you have a
student who doesn’t think he can achieve
something, but with encouragement and
explanation he has the ‘Aha!’ moment and
everything falls into place, and it makes
sense. Watching that happen is by far the
best part; it is a privilege being part of
shaping the young minds of tomorrow.
Interview:
AMY
CHRISTENSEN
Academic Coordinator – Studies
What inspired you to become a teacher?
Ironically I always wanted to be a teacher,
but as I say, life got in the way. So I ended up
taking the long way around to teaching. I was
inspired by the great teachers I had while I
was growing up, who taught me that learning
was life long – not just for 13 years. They
made me want to be a better person through
my pursuit of knowledge, and they inspired
me. I love that I stayed in touch with some of
them, as they became my strongest mentors
when I finally started working in the field.
What are your roles at Scotch and what
do you enjoy most about your work?
At Scotch I wear a lot of hats. I am the
Academic Coordinator – Studies, which
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Great Scot Issue 159 – May 2020
means I ensure that all the classes are
covered when teachers are away – be it
on camp, during professional development
or for any other reason. I help develop the
examination timetables and the staffing of
them. It is a very organisational role which
allows me to see how the insides of the
great machine Scotch is operates. The role
has been a real eye-opener in regard to the
structuring and day-to-day organisation
required to keep a school running.
I am also a teacher of English and Drama.
Currently I am teaching Year 11 English as
an Additional Language, Year 12 English,
and Years 7 and 8 Drama. These are two
subjects I have always loved. I find it exciting
What student stories impress you?
I love getting to know the hopes and
dreams of the boys, and then sitting back
and witnessing them achieve those goals.
These stories show students are capable of
anything if they want it enough.
What is your favourite place at Scotch?
With such beautiful grounds it is hard
to pick just one spot; however I often find
peace within the walls of the Geoffrey
McComas Theatre. The theatre has
always been home to me, so I can often
be found there.
What advice would you give to students
as they leave Scotch?
To be true to themselves, and to do
something that they love. There is no need to
rush into any decision, and they are allowed
to make mistakes – because that is where
we learn the most.
What do you do to relax, away from
Scotch?
I am always up for spending time with
my family and friends. I also enjoy getting to
the gym and Pilates as regularly as possible.
Last year I started running, because I
decided to do something I had never been
able to do before. It started as a bit of a joke,
but I ended up finding something I really
loved in the last place I expected. When I
can’t figure something out these days I go
for a run and the answer usually finds me
somewhere on the journey.