Guest Blog by Jessica Castro
“Hi everyone! My name is Jessica Castro and I’m in my final year studying a Masters of Teaching (Secondary) Research Pathway at The University of Melbourne. I am passionate about equipping students with critical thinking skills that get them ready for the future. My teaching philosophy is that all students should have equal access to educational opportunities and success regardless of their background.
I am currently writing a research proposal that explores how pre-service teachers develop the skills to teach Asia Literacy in a critical way that encourages and strengthens intercultural understandings, and am also investigating pedagogical strategies for teaching Asia Literacy in current educational practice.
Alongside my Masters, I have explored education in different settings including producing educational content for disability providers, museum education, higher education publishing and education research.
Education should be equal for all
I understand the value of education in improving opportunities in life. I am motivated to ensure that education is equally accessed and that educational success is not determined by capital.
After graduating with my Bachelor of Arts, I aspired to build a career that would help young people.
My love of media education led me to undertake a position at The Australian Centre for the Moving Image as a volunteer facilitator of educational programs and workshops, and it was through this experience that I discovered my love of teaching.
The positive experience galvanised me to continue volunteering and teaching at non-for-profit media organisations and enrolling in the Masters of Teaching at The University of Melbourne. My Masters has awarded me with the practical experience of teaching coupled with a strong theoretical understanding of education.
My love for learning
I love being able to constantly learn! In education I have gained deeper knowledge and interest in my teaching subjects and have also experienced the priceless joy of seeing students progress in their learning.
I also love being able to assist in facilitating strong discussions that develop a student’s curiosity and critical thinking. And a bonus of working in education is being around passionate individuals and educators with values and commitment to improving the educational outcomes and wellbeing of all students.
An education degree opens doors to diverse career pathways
There are a myriad of ways in which women can carve out successful careers in education. When we think of female educators, we often just think about the career pathway being to become a primary or high school teacher. But the reality is there are so many exciting and diverse ways in which women can get involved in the education space. This includes working as an education researcher, education publisher or even working as an education consultant.
If you aren’t sure if you can imagine yourself as a teacher, there are so many skills and job opportunities you can explore within the education sector. Moreover, the skills you develop within teaching such as social intelligence, collaboration and sense-making are skills that are easily transferred to other professions.
An education in education really is a wise investment!
I am currently open to all opportunities to explore education in all its facets whether that be inside or outside the classroom. And at the moment I am tossing up between writing a PHD exploring Asia Literacy, working in higher education publishing or perhaps working as a politics teacher!
Jessica’s Tips - Education and Teaching Career Pathways
Get out there and try it out!
You never know what you can do until you try it! Education is diverse so don’t be afraid to apply for different opportunities - and be proactive! There are also many volunteer opportunities, internships and practical placements to explore in education. Get out there and see where they take you!
Find a mentor and ask for feedback
If a lesson didn’t work out how you had meticulously planned for it to go, ask for feedback from your mentor. Are there areas where you could have structured the lesson better? Was there enough student agency in the lesson? Was the lesson appropriately differentiated? Seeking feedback and being reflective improves your teaching.
Build healthy relationships with students
You can’t teach without positive and healthy relationships. Regardless of how perfect your lesson plans are and how organised you may be, if you don’t have a positive relationship with students it just won’t work. So get to know your students and let your students know that you care by asking questions. This ensures that you can link learning and content to what they are really interested in!
Self-care is important
Make sure you schedule some time on weekends or at night to just chill. This is easier said than done especially during placement and exam time. But it’s important to think about the self you are bringing into the classroom and to students every day. Think about what do you need to do in your spare time to ensure that you feel energised and refreshed so you show up as your best self for students.