Teachers in Focus
Luana Doko
My first year as a teacher at Killester was 1984, but actually my connection to Killester began in 1977. I was a Year 11 student and my mother started working at Killester as an “Italian Culture” elective teacher. Each night my mother would recount stories of the wonderful Killester community she was a part of. My secondary education was at a state school and I was interested to understand the difference between a state school and a Catholic school.
I graduated from Melbourne University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Education, majoring in Legal Studies, Politics and History. Through my mother (who was no longer teaching at Killester) I heard that there was a temporary position available at Killester. Well “temporary” ended up being 38 years! I must admit, in my first days at a Catholic school I was quite nervous wondering what was required of me as a teacher in a Catholic school.
I learnt quickly that there was no mystery about teaching in a Catholic school. The Brigidine Sisters and staff were welcoming and always focused on the most important element of a school community – Students.
The secret ingredient at Killester is the Brigidine/Kildare Ministries values and how they are lived at Killester. These values are evident every day and in everything we do. The Killester community and the values that underpin daily life with teaching and learning have made a huge impact on my professional and personal life. I have spent 30 years in Middle and Senior Leadership and in 2020 made the decision to spend the last years of my teaching career back in the classroom. Experiencing a full teaching load in the 21st Century has been a real eye opener, particularly at the time of COVID and remote learning. Teaching has certainly evolved but the “magic” ingredient continues to be the one and only reason I love teaching at Killester – our students. I experience joy every day in the classroom. When you have taught for many years and bump into past students, whether it be in person, on social media and even on the other side of the world!, it is wonderful to hear stories of their journey in life.
Being back in the classroom is life giving and energising and will most likely spur me on the push past the 40 year mark and beyond.
Everyone needs their daily dose of Killester College.
Emily Maguire
As the newly appointed Informed and Purposeful Leader at Killester, my role involves researching best practice for teaching and learning and using this information to inform our practices as an entire staff. I work with a range of data, including NAPLAN, PAT, VCE results, as well as feedback from staff and students. My key goal is to ensure that we are always working towards improving student outcomes while ensuring that the complex situation of each individual student is addressed.
In addition to this role, I am a Year 7 Homeroom teacher and a VCE English and Physical Education teacher.
Alison Pickard
I am pleased to have been appointed to the role of Senior Programs Leader at Killester for 2022. My role involves managing VCAA processes including ensuring students are accurately enrolled in their VCE and VCAL programs. I coordinate the year 10 to 12 exams and work closely with all Year Level Leaders to ensure that we are caring for student wellbeing whilst also making sure that students are progressing with the achievement of their VCE or VCAL programs.
In addition to this role, I am a teacher of Food Studies, Textiles and Health and Human Development.
Lucinda Nolan
I am thrilled to be joining the Killester Community in my new role as Senior Strategy Leader this year. My role will see me working closely with the Learning & Teaching teams to develop and maintain a rigorous and exciting curriculum for our senior students, and a structure of learning that best meets their needs and interests. I am a passionate educator, particularly in the area of the Humanities which I believe are essential in equipping young people with the transferable skills critical for the contemporary workplace, and I strive to instill a love of learning and an enjoyment of school in all my students.
In addition to this role, I am currently teaching Drama, English and Religious Education classes, and crossing my fingers that I’ll be teaching some senior History in the near future!