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 Della Zhang. 

Della is one of our graduate teachers who has joined the English and Humanities teams. You can often catch Della in the staff lounge, early in the morning, doing her crocheting!! With so many talents, it’s great having Della join our staff team. 

How long have you been teaching?

This is my first year of teaching.

What school/university or organisation have you come from?

I graduated from Monash University.

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

I have always wanted to become a teacher ever since I was in Kindergarten. I wanted to become a teacher because helping people has always been a passion of mine. I have always wanted to help people reach their full potential. Another reason why I decided to become a teacher was because I had many teachers during my own schooling who unfortunately were not encouraging. As a result, I decided to be teacher so that our future generations did not have to put up with that. 

What do you love most about teaching?

The thing I love about teaching is that I can make an impact on students. They may not have retained anything content wise in my classes, however I may have taught them how to be more respectful or resilient etc. 

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

1. My favourite hobby is crochet. I am currently in the process of making a cardigan. 

2. I am a Formula One Fan (Go Mercedes!). I watch all the Grand Prix every race weekend. 

3. I am a True Crime Fan (I love a good True Crime Documentary or Podcast).

What has been one of your best teaching moments?

One of my best teaching moments, or at least one of my funniest moments, was a couple of weeks ago. In one of my 9 & 10 classes, I run a Kahoot Championship with the students. One week, one of my Year 10s was away because he was sick. He messaged me on Teams, if he could still participate in the Kahoot Championship. He went as far as facetiming into my class just to participate in the Kahoot Championship. Despite being away, he still managed to win that round. He unfortunately did not stay for the class. However, to me that was a sign that I was doing something right. I had made an impact on him and he enjoyed an aspect of my class. 

Where's your favourite holiday destination?

Maybe Germany. I went on German exchange when I was in Year 11 and I absolutely loved it. 

What are tv show/series did you last binge watch?

The Secret She Keeps Season 2, The Marvellous Mrs Maisel and I re-watched Drive to Survive. 

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

I would go to Paris, France and spend a day at the Louvre. 

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

My one piece of advice to students is to be your own advocate. Whatever goals you may have, fight for it. Do whatever you can to achieve them. The power is in your hands.