After travelling, learning and teaching around the globe, Sam enrolled in our Master of Education, Arts Education specialisation to continue to share her passion for the arts with the next generation of students. As well as studying, Sam is also the Arts Learning Area Leader, Art/Design/Textiles Teacher at Sacred Heart College Kyneton, Victoria. Sam believes that arts are vital for well-rounded human beings and wants to be the best practitioner and advocate for the arts that she can be.
Q: Can you please briefly outline your life prior to studying this program?
I went to high school at Toorak College, Mt Eliza in Victoria as a boarding student and graduated in 2001. From there I set out travelling for a year and learnt just how much I love it, but I also did a short art course at Edinburgh University in Scotland and realised how much my brain needs academic stimulation.
I undertook a Bachelor of Art and Design at Australian Catholic University (ACU) in Fitzroy, Melbourne, and also completed an exchange program for a year at St Martin’s College in Lancaster, UK. I then completed the Diploma of Education (Visual Arts) at Melbourne University.
From there I got offered a job at Hanoi International School in Vietnam, teaching art and design, moving on to running the Mekong River International School Cultural Exchange Program for the school, enabling me to travel, teach art and design, and live adventurously at the same time! I moved back to Melbourne in 2011 and started work at St Margaret’s School, enrolling in the Master of Education program in 2011.
Q: Are you studying full time or part time?
I am studying part time. I teach Art/Design and Textiles full time and am Arts Learning Area Leader at Sacred Heart College in Kyneton. I run teacher professional development (PD) programs either in galleries or digitally semi-regularly, and attend and teach life drawing classes. I am also attempting to renovate a house and make sure my Jack Russell and Staffy get a walk every day.
Q: Why did you choose to study your main program?
Because I am passionate about the importance of arts education and think it is vital for well-rounded human beings. I want to be the best practitioner and advocate for the arts that I can be.
Q: Can you tell us about your experience studying at the Faculty of Education?
I started studying in 2011, and undertook a number of subjects. I loved learning about what was going on in the world of education. I ended up taking a break for a few years, and have recently re-enrolled.
Right now, I love meeting other passionate educators and learning about the different lenses to view teaching, education, and the education system, and learning about how I can be the best advocate for arts education that I can be.
Q: Is there anything you wish you’d known before starting the course?
That I could take a break, and come back when the time was right.
Q: What do you hope is the next step in your life/career?
To be the best classroom practitioner I can! To consolidate my role as Arts Learning Area Leader, to continue to work with other teachers and advocate for the importance of the arts. I see myself moving into other areas of school leadership in the future, but hope to keep strong ties to the arts!
Q: What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting your course?
You never know if you never go.
Q: Can you share something interesting about yourself?
I lived in Saudi Arabia as a child and my dad used to take Saudi royals rock climbing in the Asir region, sometimes with me tagging along.
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