Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Walshe

How long have you been teaching at the school?

I started at Heathmont College in 2015, so that makes this my 6th year here. I was hired the day before Term One started and came in on that same day to set up my desk and prepare for my classes then I met my students the very next day.

How many subjects have you taught since you've been here?

I have taught many subjects during my time teaching here including Humanities, English, Music, VCAL Literacy and Drama. I do like the flexibility of being able to teach multiple subject areas, the variety keeps me on my feet and continuously learning and developing new skills and learning new things as I go.

On top of my subject classes, I take a Mentor Group, Flourish Class and I teach Strings (Violin and Cello) in the Instrumental Music Program. My role in the school extends beyond the classroom spaces, currently I am the VCAL Coordinator and Head of Performing Arts and have done other Coordinating roles in previous years.

What is your favourite subject to teach?

My favourite subject to teach is of course Music. There is nothing quite like being in that Music Classroom. For me to come to work and go into A7 and teach students how to be musicians and develop their passion for performing is so rewarding and inspiring. I don't feel like this is work, to me it's more like collaborative learning. Teaching Instrumental Music especially is my passion. I will teach any instrument if only to give others an opportunity to learn it.

My next favourite subject to teach is Literature. I actually have an Arts Degree specialising in Literary Studies and Media Communications and I am very passionate about sociology, which looks social behaviours and how people interact and communicate. My specialty field in Literature is Classic Texts i.e. Shakespeare/Greek Tragedy and Children's Literature and teaching how to decode the themes and issues in books and films then writing engaging essays about them. I love essay writing! I think sometimes it's not about what I teach, I just love teaching.

You recently got married! At school, do you like to be called by your new married name, or your maiden name?

I actually like my new married name. My Senior Students tend to call me Mrs McFarlane and my 7-9's Ms Walshe. I try to be consistent with what is on Compass but even I get confused. I am going to change it, I have had the change of name form sitting on my desk in Hollows since the beginning of the year. One day I will officially change it on Compass but for now I don't mind being called by my maiden name, Ms Walshe.

What did you do before you started at Heathmont?

I studied and worked.... A lot!

I studied for 6 months at ACU then decided to transfer to Deakin where I did my Arts Bachelor Degree that took three years. After I had finished my Arts Degree I applied and got into Monash University and did a Double Bachelor Degree in Music Performance - Western Classical and Secondary Education.

During this seven and a half year period of studying, I worked four jobs which I really enjoyed. I worked at Nestle Peters Ice Cream, a Comedy Club, I worked for a company that did Instrumental Lessons in Secondary and Primary Schools; and finally, I worked in Administration in a Secondary School.

Why did you become a teacher?

I was one of those children that their dream job was to be a Teacher, an Art Teacher to be very specific. I quickly realised that my talents did not lie in art but music and I went on my journey to become a Music Teacher. When I went through Secondary School I became increasingly interested in trades and had another choice to make whether I wanted to pursue Cabinet Making and go into an apprenticeship or again Music Teaching. I had the most fantastic Piano teacher at the time and she hooked me into Music and again I was back on my journey. I have a few family members that were teachers, they definitely had a big impact on my decision to go into the profession.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to keep pretty busy and now that I have a 17 month old child I am extra busy. However, I still make time to keep up with my hobbies.

I currently play Netball once a week (when COVID restrictions allow it), I also play many different instruments. I very much enjoy arts and crafts, in particular I love to crochet and sew. I like having the ability to make things and experiment. I tend to experiment and create my own things rather than follow a pattern or pre-made design. I quite often make my own clothes and costumes for Halloween.

I also love to fish and go camping with my husband, family and friends.

What are some of your favourite things about coming to school every day?

I have lots of favourite things but just to name a few, some of my favourite moments include walking down the pathways in the morning or during lunch saying hi to students and asking them about their day, my morning conversations with Mr Langley because we are usually the first two in Hollows each morning, doing yard duty with Ms Taylor, the light bulb moments when students come up with ideas or a concept finally clicks and makes sense.

Then on extra special occasions I look forward to Creative Crafts on Thursday at lunch with Ms Taylor, Mrs Barton, Mrs Ryan and our group of regular students, the Christmas Decorating Competition in Gilmore House, performing with students and teachers at concerts or special activities. Oh I can't forget PRODUCTION!!! That is one of the most important parts of the year for me.