ES Staff in the Spotlight

Of our 186 staff at Wantirna College, we have 111 teaching staff and 75 education support staff (ES). Primarily the role of our ES is to support teachers and students to achieve the best possible educational outcomes for students. Their jobs vary greatly, with some providing direct support to students in the classroom and some focused on maintaining our beautiful grounds and buildings, whilst others are in the General Office ensuring payments for camps, excursions and programs are processed accordingly. 

Our school couldn’t operate without the valuable work they do which is often not as visible as the work our teachers do.  However, it is just as vital in ensuring we provide the best possible opportunities for our students. This term, our Staff in the Spotlight will shine a light on the valuable work our ES do and the people in these roles who support our students and teachers.

This week we are spotlighting Nadia Tanner.

Nadia works in our Inclusion team providing in classroom support to many of our students. Nadia is one of the most caring people you will come across and the connection she has with so many of our students is very special. Nadia always focuses on the strengths of her students and we value the work she does in the classroom on a daily basis. 

What is your role?

Inclusion Learning Assistant (ILA)

How long have you worked at Wantirna College?

Just over a year.

Briefly describe your role and responsibilities.

To support our students and assist the teachers to deliver the curriculum.

How does the work you do support students and/or teachers?

It depends on the individual student. Some need heavy scaffolding to break tasks down in to manageable/understandable context. Some require a scribe or someone to keep them on task. Hopefully with me being in the classroom I can take a bit of pressure off the teachers by focusing on the learners that require extra attention.

What is the best thing about Wantirna College?

Apart from the coffee machine?… it’s definitely the supportive staff that I work with. They are truly amazing.

What is the most challenging aspect of your role?

Remembering that as much as I care for our students, I am ultimately not responsible for the choices they make.

If you were the boss of Wantirna College and had an unlimited budget to spend, what would you spend it on and why?

Maybe a few more staff bathrooms (for obvious reasons) and extra car parking. I’d love some great supplies for our ILA students too, such as fidgets and quality headphones. I’d really like a new sandwich press too 😆 

If you hosted a dinner party and had to invite 3 Wantirna teachers, who would they be and why?

Oh that’s a tough one… Deb Mantzanidis as she definitely deserves a night out, Peter Kos as he’s good for a laugh, and Janene Watt for her great stories to tell. 

What’s your ideal holiday destination?

I’d really like to see Positano on the Amalfi Coast.