Staff in the Spotlight

With so many staff joining our team this year, we would like to give our school community the opportunity to get to know our new teachers in a fun way. Each week we will be spotlighting a new staff member and sharing with you all sorts of fun and interesting stories about who they are and most importantly, why they became a teacher, and what they love most about teaching! 

This week we are spotlighting Gemma Bristowe. 

Gemma is one of our graduates who is a welcome addition to our English team, and has settled in beautifully with staff and students. As one of our keen iCan Challenge walkers, Gemma has raised significant funds for the RCH, and her enthusiasm for getting involved in extra curricular events at Wantirna has been wonderful. We are lucky to have such talented graduates like Gemma joining our Wantirna staff.

How long have you been teaching?

This is my very first year teaching!

What school/university or organisation have you come from?

Deakin University

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

Growing up, I always had a love for reading, writing stories and sharing my thoughts on books. During VCE, when the time came to choose a career, I knew I wanted to work with people and feel as though I was making a positive impact in my little corner of the world, so I combined both factors and now I am an English Teacher! 

What do you love most about teaching?

I love the community that teaching provides. Building positive student-teacher and collegial relationships makes coming to work so much fun.

What are three things you would like your students to know about you?

1. I have two cats that I can easily talk about all day. 2. In my spare time I love to travel and spend time swimming. 3. Teaching is my dream job. There is no other job I would rather do.

What has been one of your best teaching moments?

This year, in 9/10 Creative Writing, the class began shy and nervous to write and share their stories. Now, as we approach the end of Term 1, it has been amazing to create a safe space for students to be vulnerable with their writing and have the confidence to share with their peers. Whether I give the class a prompt, a sentence starter or complete agency, their stories continue to impress me. I am sure we have some future bestselling authors amongst that class.

Where's your favourite holiday destination?

I went to Western Australia in January and loved every day I spent there.

What tv show/series did you last binge watch?

I don't watch many TV shows, but I do repeatedly watch the whole Harry Potter series in any non-linear order I prefer.

If you could have 3 people for dinner (dead or alive) who would they be and why?

Probably my Nan and Pop because I miss them immensely and would love to catch up for dinner once more!

What is the one piece of 'advice' or the one thing that you always say to your students?

ALWAYS treat people the way you would like to be treated.