This month, I would like to introduce you to our ‘feature teacher’, Michael. I have had the privilege of working with Michael this year. He is a hard-working teacher who knows his trade well, plus loves his travelling too. Michael is well respected as he is one of those teachers that is interested in his students, has time for them and is passionate about the work he does. I am excited to share his story with you.

Hello! My name is Michael but my students know me as Mr Vincent. I’m currently in my sixth year of full-time teaching at a VERY large school in Sydney’s North-Western Suburbs. This year I am teaching year 5 in a flexible learning environment with two other teachers and loving it. I don’t have a teaching social media but my personal Instagram is @michaelvincent__

1. Why did you become a teacher?

Teaching was always something I was inspired by and have admired greatly. I had so many fantastic primary and secondary teachers during my education especially my High School Drama teacher who helped me come out of my shell and become a more self-confident person. After high school it was important to me to travel and see some of the world. I found myself working in performing arts summer camps in the USA for 3 summers and working with the kids everyday cemented the fact that I had to get my teaching degree. Eventually, at age 21 I decided to go to University and start my teaching degree.

My start in teaching was very strange. I actually trained as a secondary English/Drama teacher but always had an inkling I was made for primary. Turns out my suspicions were correct and after a year in a high school I moved to London for two years where I was able to teach primary. When I came back to Sydney I was luckily enough to get a temporary contract at a primary school where I was able to work up my experience over a few years and eventually was signed off to teach primary in an official capacity and just recently was made a permanent member of my school. I took a long way around to get where I’m at but am so happy I’ve had the privilege to experience both secondary and primary.

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

Favourite year to teach: Stage 3 for sure. I think they are at a really fascinating age. They are beginning to develop their own personal identities but still have that childhood innocence.

Favourite subject to teach: My favourite thing to teach would definitely be Literacy and Art. I’m passionate about art and the skills it develops and love to see my students discover a favourite book and have their world views changed and challenged.

Favourite platform for resources: I can’t say I’m too loyal to one resource platform although Twinkl and Teach Starter has saved me a few times!

 3. What is one of your favourite teaching memories?

SO many to choose from. The moments you see a student nail a concept is always a great feeling but I think my favourite memory is school camps. You get to know your students in a new way and seeing them experiencing things and overcoming challenges is a great feeling.

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

I have learnt so much over my career and am perfecting my pedagogy every day but I think the most important thing is to make room for certain activities that you want to do with your students. Its so easy to get caught up in getting through the programs, assessment and school events etc, that we can lose touch with those fun teaching moments. It’s important to still do those things you are passionate about with your students. For me it’s fitting in some drama games or sharing books that may not be a part of our teaching program at that moment.

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

Shaun Tan! I adore his work so much and work his books in to my lessons where I can. His work is perfect for Stage 3, there’s something for all ability of learners. There’s a surface level reading of his books that kids love but there is so much more going on that allows for so much extension and room for creativity. The way he blends literacy and art is perfection.

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

Accept you won’t do everything perfectly the first time. You will flub lessons here and there and that’s fine. Cut yourself some slack and make time for yourself. It’s so easy to get consumed in perfecting your craft and lessons but you need to know when it’s time to walk away and focus your energy on something else.

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

This is something that still is a challenge but I’m finding it easier to do as I get deeper into my career. Friday nights and Saturdays are off limits for work (unless its report time!). Its all about ensuring work doesn’t consume you. Find interests outside of teaching and make time for them.

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

I like to check in with each of my students daily, which sounds obvious but so often does not happen. Strong relationships are everything in teaching and a quick daily chat with each of them goes a long way.

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

This is very important to me. I’m apart of the environment committee at my school so we are always looking for ways to minimise our footprint. We prioritise recycling in our classroom and we have monitors to keep on top of this and ensure our waste goes in the right bins. We also partake in a program that removes plastic stationery waste (pens, crayons, highlighters etc) from our school and is taken away and turned into different products. I also help run a school garden where we plant, tend and harvest our own produce.

10. Plan a perfect teaching day for us

My perfect day would be starting with a great book that we read and discuss and get lost in. Followed by some collaborative literacy tasks that get conversation happening and ideas flowing. We would then go outside and play some drama games in the sunshine. We finish with an art project, maybe sculpture, paper mâché or something that gets our hands dirty!

Thanks Michael. You have such an interesting teaching story. Plus I love your rule of no school work Friday nights or Saturday. That’s so important.

To read past teacher profiles; click here.

If you are a teacher and are interested in being featured next month, we would love to hear from you. Send an email to laurathexplaura@gmail.com or drop a note below.