WHAT LED YOU TO NAVITAS
SIX YEARS AGO?
I was a HR manager for seven years, working in pharmaceuticals, finance and tourism. My life was dedicated to my work and there was no life balance. When I had my first child someone suggested I’d be good as a teacher because I did a lot of training, so I did a degree and spent six years in secondary education (legal studies and business), then someone else suggested adult education. It’s like everything led up to that moment. I think my background in HR is why I work so well with youth – understanding how to talk to people, relate to people, keeping things confidential. I’ve brought that into the classroom.
TELL US ABOUT THE YOUTH
CLASS AT FAIRFIELD.
The students in my class are aged 17 to 30. Each one has had a huge journey. They might come from gangs, drugs, sexual violence, physical violence, no home. To see how they overcome all those obstacles in their lives, how resilient they are, it’s unbelievable. I don’t think I’m as strong as them. I’m asking them to learn a new language in a new country, no support, nothing. And you know what? They get up every day and they do it. That inspires me.
WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY?
It’s TEAMS that drives my teaching: Technology (computer coding and robotics projects), English, Art, Mental Health and Science. Six years ago, the program was mostly teaching English, whereas now, full credit to the management team at Navitas English Fairfield and other colleges, they were prepared to jump out of that square. Not just English but English in context with more practical and project-based application, such as the Fairfield Youth Art Project.
We still absolutely deliver English outcomes and we always hit and often exceed the benchmarks, and the students come out being able to speak beautifully in English and it’s such an achievement. But on the other side is this philosophy of TEAMS and I always keep that in my head because it makes me to think about what we can bring to the classroom to make learning more engaging. My proudest achievement at Navitas is driving that philosophy.
HOW HAS COVID-19 IMPACTED
YOUR CLASS?
Fairfield was one of the hardest hit areas and the youth were super spreaders, so our jobs became much more than just teaching - keeping them safe and also try to stop COVID spreading to other communities. It’s everyone working together: teachers, police, the community.
Sometimes it's friendships that get them through tough times. Six students out of my class of 18 have been COVID positive, and one student’s mother passed away. They know I'm here for them, whether they are calling me from the ICU or I’m calling them to check they are staying home. The Pathways Guidance Advisors are also
really helpful. They regularly meet with my students to provide information about the various career paths available to them, as well as help with personal matters. We all get through it together.
WHAT OUTCOMES DO YOU
SEE IN YOUR STUDENTS?
If I could tell you some of their stories, it would make you cry, but after they’ve been with us, they become these wonderful students; education is changing their lives. What I’ve learned most from the students is their willingness to keep going, to continue to overcome obstacles in their lives. We celebrate the good things but also acknowledge the bad; not hiding from it, not running from it. There are girls who were taken out of school at 8, or 12, and married at 14. Things you just don’t understand, and you can’t get your head around as a Westerner. I say, ‘OK, that’s fine that’s part of your life but now you’re here and it’s time for you’. These girls had nothing in their lives and now they want to be lawyers, nurses, photographers. That was never on the cards before.
AS A TEACHER HOW DO YOU SEPARATE THEIR BACKGROUND FROM THE LESSONS?
I think the most important thing is patience and understanding. I listen to them and get to know them, and as a teacher, I tell them, ‘I’ve heard your stories, I’ve got it. But now we have to move on’. It can be hard but they respect you for it. They can’t use [their background] as an excuse for not getting results. They know that I can be really nice but I have a line they don’t cross. They are in the class to learn.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST?
The way so many nationalities can come together and get along blows my mind. When the students start, they all distrust each other. They won’t sit next to each other; they won’t talk to each other. It’s hilarious – like there are these invisible compartments of countries in my classroom. And then slowly, everyone starts to merge and then they become friends and then they can’t live without each other. I just love that.
the green apple interview:
camilla portela youth teacher navitas english