This month, I would like to introduce you to our featured teacher, Hayley from @followingmissfarrugia.

My name is Hayley Farrugia or Miss Farrugia [far-roo-gee-ah] and this is my 2nd year of teaching! I am currently teaching at St. Patrick’s School in Lithgow in the Central West of NSW. I currently have a beautiful Year 5 class and you can follow my teaching journey on Instagram @followingmissfarrugia.

1. Why did you become a teacher?

I became a teacher because I have never had a doubt in my mind that I wanted to be anything else! If you ask any one of my family members, they will tell you that I had made my own Class Roll for 24 of my dolls in our family playroom by the age of 6. I grew up in a household that valued school and education and how seriously I take my role as a teacher is a credit to my Dad and a tribute to my Mum. With both of my parents being teachers, I saw the ‘behind the scenes’ aspect of teaching - which is far from a walk in the park - and was still convinced that it was my career. I still remember the moment when I decided I wanted to be Miss Farrugia. I had just finished Year 12 and I had been swapping between ideas of being a Music Producer or going into Youth Ministry. I think I finally came to the conclusion that I had just been avoiding what I knew I wanted and what felt like home to me all along. I remember walking downstairs and saying to Mum, “I want to be a teacher,’ and she replied, “I know.”

2. Tell us your favourite; year to teach, subject to teach and platform for resources

Favourite year to teach: Last year I also taught Year 5 and although it is all that I know, I have to say Year 5 is my sweet spot. I have always loved and thrived in Upper Primary and that is where I am most confident with behaviour management, curriculum and relationship building. But who knows what next year will bring and I’ll be ready when it arrives! 

My favourite way to teach is through storytelling. Whether it is my heritage or that my family has always had the ‘gift of the gab,’ I see students respond positively everyday to stories, photos and experiences that I share. There is a reason why stories from millions of years ago were never written down, but we still know them today - storytelling is the most effective way of passing on and applying information.

 3. What is one of your favourite teaching memories?

There are countless memories in the classroom that have made me smile, laugh and cry, all of which come from a place of gratitude for this career. I think the moment that has been the most real and significant for me so far, was getting my first class photo and seeing myself standing next to all of these little humans that I have the privilege of shaping and educating. 

4. What is the most important thing you have learnt while teaching?

I have learnt about 400 important things so far: Not to take things personally, there are things that are out of my control, not everyone will like me, it is a thankless job, I can’t do everything and remembering the power of saying ‘no.’ These have all been hard and very real lessons for me and ones that I have to relearn every day. As teachers, we can often doubt ourselves and our abilities, make assumptions, jump to conclusions and let’s be real, every teacher is a control freak! But at the end of the day, we have to affirm ourselves that we are highly qualified, this is our vocation and that we are changing the world one child at a time, but we are only one person.  

5. If you could invite one guest speaker into the classroom who would it be?

Eddie Woo! Maths is not my favourite subject and something I have struggled with my whole life. However, I have done a lot of research on the delivery of Mathematics to engage students and confidence building in the subject and Eddie Woo has inspired me to empower all students in Maths, regardless of their ability. 

6. What is your best teaching tip for beginning teachers?

Not everything will be done at the end of each day. I’m even cringing at this piece of advice as I write it, but it’s so true. I’ve “been there, done that, messed around” and it just won’t happen and never will! Teaching is a job where there will always be one more thing to do and your to-do list will never end, so you need to learn to find satisfaction in ticking off only what you can in one day. 

7. Teaching can be very demanding. How do you achieve a work/life balance?

I did not achieve work/life balance last year - it was more like let’s play ‘how many things can you fit into 24 hours.’ I was teaching full time, playing for 2 hockey teams, in a musical production, doing my Proficient accreditation and studying a Graduate Certificate full time, all whilst trying to be a teacher, friend, daughter and sister. I have since discovered the power of saying ‘no’ and that saying ‘I have a lot on my plate right now’ does not mean you’re a failure. This year I have made a promise to myself to tap into old hobbies that I had forgotten about and do things that bring me joy. 

8. What is one thing you like to do every day with your students?

We love having a ‘morning meeting’ in our class, which is a student led meeting that brings to the surface things we want to talk about. It’s in this 20 minute time slot every day that I see how much my students have grown and respect each other. We always end up having a laugh as well!

9. How do you minimise your environmental footprint in the classroom?

I’m not a fan of worksheets and never have been. Partly because kids never cut and paste in their worksheets how I want them and partly because they are such a waste of paper! In my classroom, I love teaching through rich discussions and hands on activities. When we do take notes and do activities, students use their exercise book that they have for each subject and that is it. We love using Google Classroom - which is an online platform for students to follow lesson instructions, research and record their findings, submit assessment tasks and I can also mark and return assessment tasks to students using this platform. Google Classroom has played a significant role in the reduction of paper usage in my classroom. 

10. Plan a perfect teaching day for us

My favourite teaching days are the ones when our routine is honoured and runs exactly how we like it and I can see the students loving their learning and the space that they’re in. I love my days to incorporate some sort of music or creativity, like dancing, singing, meditation or yoga. I’ve learnt that a perfect teaching day doesn’t need to be fireworks and a show, but one where the students are happy and you have grown together in a day. 

Come over and follow my journey on Instagram @followingmissfarrugia. I love talking to other teachers, asking questions and answering them too!

Miss F out x

We are only one person - that is so important to remember as a teacher with our endless to do lists. We have to have realistic thinking and keep realistic expectations of ourselves as a priority for our own mental health as teachers. Thanks Hayley for your wise words and input. Certainly sounds like you are enjoying your new career.

To read past teacher profiles; click here.

If you are a teacher and are interested in featuring next month, we would love to hear from you. Send an email to laurathexplaura@gmail.com