By John McBride | Posted: Tuesday May 8, 2018
We intervied all of the STEAM teachers and this is what they had to say...
Mrs Dick-McCann ~ Foods
What inspired you to become the foods teacher at Casebrook?
I knew Casebrook was a great school and I love to specialise in the tech area. I love to do creative stuff, and to problem solve. I also love working with food all day.
What do you like best about teaching your students?
I love my students enthusiasm to learn new things and their great ideas which often take us into new directions. Introducing the Garden to Table programme at Casebrook has been great for the students to learn about where their food comes from and how to grow food for themselves and their families. I love to see how proud they are of what they have achieved.
On Monday night I received an email from a family member of one of our students saying that they were very impressed by the meal that their son had made for their family to share. I enjoy knowing that our students are confident using there learning to make healthy meals for their families to enjoy.
What’s your favourite food that you like to teach your students how to make?
That’s tricky, because I actually really enjoy all the food . Yr7’s really love to discover that they can actually do this on their own! In the Yr8 programme they learn a whole range of skills, then they design their own meals suitable for their families. It’s great knowing their families can have a lovely experience sharing and celebrating their chef’s success. It’s very satisfying knowing that by the end of Yr8 they know how to make 2 - 3 main courses.
Mrs Kelleher ~ Digi
What inspired you to become the digi teacher?
I had been away from the school for one year and I was asked to take on a new responsibility. I didn't know much about it so I went off and did a mind lab post graduate certificate in applied practice in digital and collaborative learning.
What do you like best about teaching your students?
I really enjoy when students sometimes get a surprise at how well they are doing and when they get excited about learning new things.
What’s your favourite skill that you like to teach your students how to do?
Talk about their own learning.
Miss Ogilvie ~ Science
What inspired you to become the science teacher?
I’m curious and like observing things and I like discovering things about the world around us.
What do you like best about teaching your students?
I really like being with other people, I really like children and their ideas and the way that they explain things. I love it when somebody discovers something new and they discover that they have success. I love it when my students have success.
What’s your favourite experiment that you like to teach your students how to do?
Oobleck, just watching the joy that they have and the process they have to go through.
Miss Deavoll ~ Art
What inspired you to become the art teacher?
There’s a lot of art in our family, we have a very creative family. When I went to Teachers College I specialised in art. In my first year teaching I worked in a extension Room 6 class for one year. After which I was off in a job position and Chisnallwood Intermediate offered me a relieving job for one term. But then they offered me a permanent position. And I continued to work there for 18 years.
What do you like best about teaching your students?
That they can have fun. They can show their own creativity, and not feel threatened that they take pride in their work and have a sense of achievement.
What’s your favourite art skill that you like to teach your students?
Chalk art. I like chalk art because its bright, vibrant and students feel that it is always successful.
Mr Cook ~ Hard materials
What inspired you to become the hard materials teacher?
I enjoy making things myself and I also like to help people to make things as well.
What do you like best about teaching your students?
That some students are creative, have their own ideas, and solve their own problems.
What’s your favourite machine that you like to teach your students how to use?
Sand blaster, because as a student you can’t tell what the result is and it’s a bit of a surprise.
By Jessica Patterson and Amelia Rowe (Rm 14)