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 John Rainbow who is one of our new Learning Specialists.

How long have you been teaching?

13 years

What school/university or organisation have you come from?

My position prior to joining the team at Wantirna College was Head of Maths from East Doncaster for the last 8 years.

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

When working as a Radiation Therapist I found a lot of enjoyment in training and assisting interns. This is where I found the love of teaching and learning.  Later in life when operating a skirmish centre I enjoyed working with the youth. These two experiences made it clear becoming a secondary school teacher was my next career.

What do you love most about teaching?

I love the ah ha moment when teaching mathematical concepts. Seeing students transform from struggling to getting it. I get very excited when this happens.

What has been one of your best teaching moments?

Each day you have great teaching moments, so this is a tough one. One of my favourite moments is when speaking to ex-students I have taught and they tell me a story about how I made an impact on their life. At the time it was something small and I would have not thought this to make a difference. This highlights the privilege we have working with students to assist them through their life, even the small things count.

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

Love MTB riding. I believe everyone can learn in Maths. The best gift a student can give me is a letter of appreciation, this keeps me motivated. 

Where's your favourite holiday destination?

Wilsons Promontory.

What tv show/series did you last binge watch?

Drive to Survive

If you could wear Harry's invisibility cloak for one day, where would you go and what would you do?

Follow my daughter for a day at kinder.

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

Life is meant to be a challenge because challenges make you grow.