1 April 2017
Meet Kitty
"I hope viewers gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by schools in facilitating education."
“If you’re considering teaching, eat your Weet-Bix! You’ll need the energy.”
NAME: KITTY
AGE: 30
BORN: SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES
STUDIED: BACHELOR OF ART AND BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH HONOURS
UNIVERSITY: MONASH UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL: MELTON SECONDARY COLLEGE, VICTORIA
After completing her VCE in Melbourne in the early 2000s, Kitty went straight to Monash University.
“I was super excited that I could study geology and drama at the same time – so I completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science,” she said. Later, an honours year in hydrogeology and climate change spring-boarded her career as a hydrogeologist.
“I was ‘fly-in, fly-out’ to a number of mine sites around Australia, working with teams on water management projects across their sites – conservation, supply, dewatering and groundwater monitoring.”
A few years later, Kitty ventured to New York City on sabbatical and became involved in an education technology start-up called Library For All.
“It was through my time with that wonderful team that I realised my passion for education for all.”
After having her daughter in 2013, Kitty realised that she wanted to become a teacher.
“I went along to a Teach For Australia information evening, was impressed by the dedication and passion the Teach For Australia team had, so put in my application the next day.”
“Melton Secondary College is highly multicultural and diverse, which is rather excellent, and conversation in class naturally flows to students’ different experiences.”
While she teaches across domains, Kitty particularly loves teaching drama and science.
“To me, science is how we as humans have gone about exploring our physical world and drama is how we as humans have gone about exploring our inner worlds.”
Kitty recognises that her third grade teacher, Ron Obrien, had a profound influence on her own education.
“He made learning all about doing and it was his enthusiasm for making things and demonstrating every concept through a physical example that got me hooked on learning.”
Kitty is excited for Testing Teachers and hopes those who see it gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by schools in facilitating education.