Laura Durham

Introducing Laura Durham as a Teacher in the Humanities (Commerce) and German Faculties.

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

Most of my grandparents did not receive much of an education past either year 7 or year 9, having to stay on the farm and help their families. My parents were the first in their respective families to finish high school and attend university. It has always been instilled in me that education gives you choices and enables you to be an informed citizen, as well as enabling you to have more independence and be empowered in your decision making throughout your life. I wanted to contribute to helping young people have more opportunities and a higher literacy level than my grandparents had.

How long have you been in the teaching game?

7.5 years – in Victoria 6.5 years and England 1 year.

What was your last place of employment - school/university or another organisation?

Brentwood Secondary College.

What do you love most about teaching?

Those light bulb moments when a student understands a concept or can demonstrate a skill they have been working towards. 

Sharing my love of my subjects with young people and seeing them wish to also study those subjects after they finish Year 12.

What has been one of your best teaching moments?

The various school camps I have attended – this is where you really can build fantastic relationships with students and see them thrive in an environment in addition to the classroom. Taking a group of year 9s on a giant zipline across a river in Tasmania has to be one of my best teaching moments. We all were nervous but supported each other and everyone had a go and rose to the challenge.

What would be 3 things that you would like your students to know about you?

1. I am a Geelong supporter (Go Cats!)
2. I love to sing!
3. I learnt German for the first time at secondary school just like all of you are. It’s amazing where your learning of a language can take you – holidays, exchange programs, careers. 

Where is your favourite holiday destination?

South Australia, Queensland and the Victorian High Country.

What TV show/series did you last binge watch?

The English Game, which is on Netflix. It’s a story about a working class soccer team in England winning the FA cup for the first time.

If you could wear Harry’s invisibility cloak for one day, where would you go and what would you do? That’s Harry Potter’s cloak not Harry Ruff’s cloak 😊

I would go to the US to crash the Academy Awards / Grammy awards.

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

Without being out of your comfort zone, there is little growth. To improve and become the best version of yourself, inevitably you have to spend time being uncomfortable. However, it’s worth it.

Thank you, and welcome to Mullauna College, Laura!