My Journey as a First-Year Teacher in an IB PYP School: Cultivating Inquiry, Critical Thinking, and Lifelong Learning

Working in an IB PYP school as a first-year graduate teacher has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The PYP’s inquiry-based approach fosters a dynamic learning environment where students are encouraged to ask questions, explore concepts, and engage with ideas independently. I’ve seen how this framework promotes critical and creative thinking, helping students solve problems and make meaningful connections to the world around them, both collaboratively and independently.

One of the standout features of the PYP is its focus on developing well-rounded learners. Through the Learner Profile, students build essential skills like communication, collaboration, and self-management, preparing them for academic success and real-world challenges. It’s been inspiring to watch students grow into reflective thinkers who can express their ideas clearly and work confidently with others.

The collaborative culture within the school has also been a major highlight. Working alongside experienced educators has given me valuable insights and helped me refine my teaching practice through regular planning and discussions. This shared commitment to growth creates a positive, supportive environment where both students and teachers thrive.

What’s impressed me most about the PYP is how it encourages students to think deeply and engage meaningfully with complex topics. This focus on lifelong learning helps students develop skills they’ll use far beyond the classroom. Starting my teaching career in this environment has provided me with a solid foundation and inspired me to grow professionally while supporting students on their learning journey.

The IB PYP is unique in that it goes beyond traditional education. It encourages deep, conceptual learning rather than relying on memorisation or rigid tasks. Teachers can shape lessons around student interests, making learning more engaging and meaningful. The programme’s international perspective also helps students appreciate different cultures and think globally. This well-rounded approach ensures students are prepared not just academically, but as thoughtful, empathetic individuals ready to navigate an ever-changing world.

Belle do Rozario-Romić

Year 6 Teacher - St Columba’s Primary School

Empowering Lifelong Learners: A Graduate Teacher’s Reflection on the PYP Framework at St Columba’s

Having completed my teaching rounds at both non-PYP schools and now at St Columba’s, I’ve experienced first and the powerful impact the PYP framework has on student learning.

Unlike traditional models, where the focus is on delivering content, the PYP puts students at the heart of their learning. Students are encouraged to ask questions, explore new ideas and make real-world connections.

What excites me about working in a PYP school as a graduate teacher is the way the PYP builds a confident, curious and compassionate community of learners who are equipped to handle challenges and work together to solve real world problems. The focus isn’t just on what students know but on how they think, how they learn and how they can apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. It’s about preparing students not just for the next grade level, but for the rest of their lives.

The PYP enables teachers to nurture children’s natural curiosity and encourages them to think critically, develop global perspectives and become resilient problem-solvers. The skills and attitudes developed in the PYP are exactly what today’s world needs.

The joy students bring to their learning and the depth of their engagement shows how well the PYP prepares them to thrive in an ever-changing world. I am so excited to begin my teaching career in a school where students are at the centre of learning and are supported to realise their goals and DREAM BIG.

Ruby Elkins

Graduate Teacher

Prep - St Columba's Primary School

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