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My name is Jessica Reid and I am an early career teacher currently teaching at Pedare Christian College in Adelaide.
I have come to the teaching profession by way of an Arts degree from the University of Queensland specialising in the fields of history and English literature. It was here that I discovered that the field of humanities, and history in particular, was not just an interest of mine but a passion. One of my key strengths as a teacher is my ability to bring my passion and enthusiasm for the humanities into the classroom and sharing that with students. This is an attribute that has been noted by mentor teachers and students alike with one student commenting that:
"I think you have made the class into a very positive place. I like how you constantly try to make everybody involved in everything and you do this in such an exciting way you make history much more enjoyable."
I believe that the classroom is one of the key places that young people become who they are going to be. I chose to pursue a career as a teacher because I would love the chance to help the next generation along that journey. I firmly believe that each child has the potential to be an amazing human being and a valuable contributor to the community on both a local and a global scale. To me being a good teacher is about providing chances for students to grow and succeed, both academically and socially. I say chances in the plural because sometimes students aren’t in the right place mentally or emotionally to take the first chance that is offered to them and in my classroom I want to ensure that it is never too late for any student to make a positive change and take up the opportunities which a good education can afford.
My attitudes towards classroom management can be further explored in my classroom management handbook available at: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ixg3i0Lw1BDxaCZH5s_kuHNC6WzXHxPYLOPBiPRv3xM/edit?usp=sharing
Career Goals
As an early career teacher I am eager to expand my experience in the classroom and would especially love the opportunity to continue teaching English, History and Geography in the Middle and Senior grades. I intend to continue my development in this goal by completing a Graduate Certificate in Geography Teaching in 2015-2016.
In the long term I am planning to return to further university study in order to complete a Masters degree in education. In the future I would also be very interested in transitioning into the field of curriculum development and education policy.