Meet a Teacher

Ms Vanessa Juergens

Life before Girton

I grew up in the small town of Birchip where I completed my schooling. While life on the farm was great, I moved to Bendigo to study a Bachelor of Education at LaTrobe University. After completing my degree, I moved to Nichols Point Primary School near Mildura where I worked for one year before I moved to Melbourne. I taught at Craigieburn Primary School for two years before the country called me back and I returned to Bendigo.  

What I Love about Teaching

My favourite part of teaching is when students have, what I refer to as, the light bulb moment.  The moment when students understand a concept that they may have had difficulty with, or their predictions and estimations are correct. The look on their face is priceless.

Another aspect of teaching that I enjoy is the fact that no two days are the same. There is always something different each day.

The best thing about teaching at Girton is the great people that I work with. It is such a happy environment to work in where people are always willing to help each other.

What do you like best about the year level you teach?

At Year Three level, students continue to develop skills across the curriculum. They are exposed to more complex concepts.

Students enjoy the new responsibilities they face in Year Three. From Choir to homework tasks, students respond well to the new independence. Going on Camp to Sunny Stones is a new challenge for students as they are away for two nights, which is a long time to be away from home.

My favourite classroom activity

I believe that my students enjoy participating in a variety of literacy and numeracy games. From online games to board games. I try to expose my class to a range of activities based on the weekly concepts.

Students enjoys these activities as they learn in a casual and relaxing manner. Often students do not realise that they are doing these activities for a reason and that they are learning while having fun!

What difference can good teaching make?

A successful student participates in every activity with a willingness to learn. While we all complete tasks that we are not fond of having a go is often the key to success.

What attributes of your own do you hope your students benefit from?

I hope my student benefit from my bubbly approach to tasks.

Other Hats

Coach netball at Newbridge in my spare time!

Outside of work I can be found walking my dog, Bob or doing fun mum jobs with my two daughters.