Meet a Staff Member
10 minutes with….
Dan Mogg
Tell us a little about your life outside of teaching/working? Eg. Family, hobbies. Passions
I have a wonderful family who love celebrating birthdays & special occasions together. My mum is 85 not out & parties harder than all of us. I love getting away on weekends to go fishing, swimming in the Goulburn River, bushwalking & relaxing around the open fire, My 2 dogs (Roxy & Billy who are both Groodles) go everywhere with me. I love to read – not into novels but love bios, current affairs, history & sport.
How did you end up teaching/ working at Marian College?
I worked in Primary schools in the Western suburbs for many years & decided it was time for a change. I was really fortunate that Rita Grima & Ray Pisani offered me a job at MC in 2011.
What do you like most about teaching/working at Marian College?
I like the ‘Strength & Kindness’ motto – it sums up the teachers & students here. The diversity of students (and staff) is remarkable. The world only needs to look at MC to see how people from different races, philosophies & religions can live together harmoniously. We have our moments of course, but generally speaking our community is supportive & strong.
What are the biggest challenges facing teachers today?
Paperwork & workload. Finding the balance between work life & private life.
Teachers are much more invested in the lives of their students these days and the time demands catering for their needs has increased exponentially.
What are the biggest challenges facing teenage girls today?
- Self esteem & envy due to the saturation of social media influence & influencers. Have heard Social Media referred to as an ‘envy amplifier’ which is quite true as teenagers are bombarded with what they don’t have, rather than appreciate what they do have.
- Staying active & fit. COVID lockdown forced some really bad habits on young girls. Its not uncommon for people to spend 10-12 hours a day on their phone. It will frizzle your brain.
- Developing a strong work ethic. It’s getting easier to be lazy & find easier ways around things.
Favourite food & drink?
Water & a nice glass of Red
A nice medium rare Scotchy, Lamb Roast,
Favourite holiday destination?
Eildon in the Victorian high country
Noosa & the Whitsundays in Qld
Norway
Favourite TV show & Movie?
TV show -The Front Bar – Mick & Sam crack me up every week!
Movie - The Life of Brian – The Monty Python crew and geniuses!
Book – any Jeffrey Archer novel – a rip roaring story teller
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
A crypto billionaire & a sports nut who travelled the world on my luxury yacht watching great athletes perform. I will be able undertaking the ‘budget’ version of this next year as 2023 will be my last year of teaching. Been at it 41 years & just about ‘done & dusted!’
Also want to undertake some voluntary work next year & still exploring options.
Which 5 people in history would you like to invite to a dinner party?
John Cleese, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, John F Kennedy, Eric Bogle and my Father who passed away a few years ago.