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MY JOB IS A TEACHER



A student in my year 8 Music class asked me the other day where I was last Thursday. The class had a relief teacher as I was home looking after my daughter. All of a sudden the class was asking me about her. How old is she? What’s her name? I couldn’t help but start talking about my daughter. I eventually showed them some photos of her on the smart board as the students wanted to hear about my family.


It was at this moment I realised the students had only known me as a ‘teacher’. It got me thinking that I am not a teacher. My job is a teacher. I am a Dad, Son, Brother, and Husband. I love cooking, reading, playing the guitar and the list goes on. 

I have found students have treated me differently (in a good way) since sharing about my family and this got me thinking.

People in society say ‘oh, you’re a teacher’ or students think of you as a teacher. No, I’m not a 'teacher', my job is a teacher. I believe students have been more respectful to me in and out of class since I’ve focused more on this perspective. I focus on the human element and try to separate myself and my job as a teacher. 

This was why I created this blog. I hope to share ideas, strategies, resources and advice about being a HUMAN in today’s classrooms.

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