Shepp Speaks: Why do you love teaching?

By Djembe Archibald

Aug 1, 2023

This week, the News visited Greater Shepparton Secondary College to chat to some of the teachers. We asked them what got them into teaching and what kept them in the field. Here’s what they had to say.

Daniel Robertson — VCE chemistry, work-related skills and Year 9 science teacher

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I was in the Air Force cadets when I was in school and progressed through into the adult staff there where it was a lot of facilitating training for young people — it went from my hobby to a job. But it did take me 15 years to figure it out. I have a real passion for it. For me, the best part of the job is actually seeing the kids grow and develop. Even though I’ve only been teaching for three years, I’ve had opportunities to see my previous students grow from Year 8 to Year 11 and see them develop as young people.

Sara Cartwright. Photo by Djembe Archibald

Sara Cartwright — Year 11 English and junior humanities teacher

I originally wanted to be a nurse, but my mum reminded me that I can’t do blood and suggested that I wanted to be a teacher for a long time and perhaps that was something to look into. I had already had three kids and wanted to leave retail to go into something I found meaningful. So, I went back to studying to become a teacher and never looked back. The best part of teaching is those light-bulb moments. I can teach them stuff that I’m passionate about and things that I think are really valuable.

Caitey Wilton. Photo by Djembe Archibald

Caitey Wilton — English learning area leader

My dad is the one who encouraged me to get into teaching, and I went in to my first placement and I loved it. I love helping teenagers grow. Seeing these young adults grow and find out who they are and what their strengths are, that’s what I love. The variety, the constant learning and the relationships you build within the school is what keeps me in the job. No two days are the same, and as a teacher you never stop learning.

Amy Funston — VCE psychology teacher and house leader

It took me a little while to figure out that I wanted to teach. I have always enjoyed working with young people, but my passion came with teaching psychology. I had some epic psychology teachers when I was in high school, so that was a bit of a driver for me. Some days it’s really hard but what keeps me turning up every day is the young people, all of the different kids. They make you front up every day so you can make a difference with them. We have a whole bunch of amazing kids at this school. Also, the staff here are incredible.

By Djembe Archibald

Cadet Journalist