Staff Profile

Staff Profiles

Each newsletter in 2019 will showcase the experience, story and passion for education of one of our teaching staff.  Our intent is to let you into the wealth of experience and knowledge that is behind each staff member selected at the College.

David Mullender

This week we turn the spotlight to the Dunsborough Campus, and to another one of our teachers who is a former student returned home!  We sent David Mullender a few questions, and here's his responses.

 

Where were you born?

I was born at a young age in the remote Australian city of Perth.

 

What Qualifications do you have?

I have a Bachelor of Theology from Trinity Theological College in Leederville and a Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary) from Edith Cowan University in Mount Lawley.

 

How many years have you been teaching?

Having run an irrigation business and then operating a cheese and wine café in the Swan Valley, I decided on a radical change and studied to be a teacher in 2015. I am currently in my fourth year of teaching.

 

What subjects/Year Group do you teach?

My wife, Heidi, and I have shared our classes at the Dunsborough campus. Last year, we were teaching the amazing Years 3, 4 and 5 students. This year we are honoured to be teaching our wonderful Years 3 and 4 students. Heidi primarily specialises in Science inquiry and Health while I take on literacy, numeracy and the humanities.

 

What you love about being a teacher?

I love to share a passion for learning. I have a particular penchant for mathematics, but find myself in the minority. At the beginning of each school year, I ask students what their favourite and least favourite subjects are. Mathematics is usually pretty low. I am not surprised that many students and parents have a low view of this vital learning area. The reasons are plenty, but these seem to be the most common:

  • ‘I didn’t get it and was left behind.’
  • ‘My mum or dad said they were no good at it because it was too hard.’
  • ‘It’s boring and not relevant.’

Changing a student’s negative perception of mathematics has been an important, fascinating and rewarding journey for me. I love when students develop a greater sense of confidence which spurs on their motivation to learn more because they:

  • recognise that a concept is not ‘hard’ but simply unfamiliar
  • use strategies to solve problems relevant to themselves
  • have time to investigate challenging scenarios, and
  • see their own progress in their learning over the short and long term

What's the best thing about Cornerstone?

I was a student at Busselton Cornerstone some decades ago. I cherish the experiences, friendships and learning journey I had in my formative years at the school. Being a teacher at our Dunsborough campus has been an incredible blessing. We have an amazing team of supportive staff, wonderful families and incredible students.

 

Do you have any hobbies or interests you think make you really cool?

When I’m not in the classroom, you’ll likely see me cooking up a storm (Jamie Oliver style), roasting and brewing coffee or attempting to surf the smaller breaks around our amazing coastline.