Spotlight On . . . 

This week's Spotlight is on Mrs Jessie Evans, our Science Teacher.

I was born in Western Victoria and grew up on a farm near a small town called Edenhope. Our farm was mostly a sheep, grain and hay farm, but my dad decided to make use of an old swamp by making it into ponds for a yabbie farm. He still farms the yabbies today and you can see some of his yabbies in with the platypus at Healesville Zoo. Growing up on a farm we certainly learnt what hard work and early mornings were, there was always a lot of work to be done.

I went to a small primary school, one year there was only 7 students in my class and my year 12 class was only 12 students. Not surprisingly, I was the student in class who could not stop talking! Growing up I started playing netball, but I was terrible at catching and throwing so I switched to hockey on the weekends. I played the flute in the school band and I loved performing in the school musical productions.

By the time I finished year 12 I had decided that I wanted to be a teacher, so I moved out of home before the age of 18 and moved 6 hours away to Melbourne to start my teaching degree.  Whilst I was studying at university I worked part time at Safeway (Woolworths). 

I have been married to Gareth for 14 years. We have 2 children, Bryce in grade 4 and Jasmine in Foundation. We are fortunate to live in the Dandenongs, which would have to be one of the most beautiful places to live. Last year we even had snow at our house!

Gareth and I travelled to Europe for a few weeks (before children) where we visited Wales, England, Italy and France. My favourite place that I visited would have to have been Florence, it was stunning. 

I have so many hobbies and interests! My cupboards at home are full of the many hobbies I have had over the years. I love reading, buying plants, gardening, drinking good coffee and sewing clothes, when I have time. I also enjoy swimming and going for nature walks. I have spent a lot of time researching my family history and love uncovering interesting events, people and family secrets that we didn’t know about.

I have worked at Syndal for 20 years! In that time I have taught all year levels, and have had a couple of years of family leave. This is my third year teaching science and I absolutely love it! As my son has severe food allergies, I have great knowledge of allergies and anaphylaxis. That knowledge, along with my selectively good organisational skills and attention to detail (just don’t look at my desk!), is why I have taken on the role of first aid co-ordinator at Syndal.

Since both of my children and myself were diagnosed in the past few years as being autistic, I have spent a lot of time learning about the amazing differences in our brains and how we perceive the world. I am passionate about helping others to understand ‘neurodiversity’ and how we can all be more accepting and accommodating for individual differences.