Year 6 Teacher

My email sarahw@devonport.school.nz

My roles

• Year 6 teacher

• Within-school leader of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths)

• Within-school leader of Gifted & Talented

My teaching philosophy

At University, when I was training to be a teacher, one of my supervisors suggested I was “too enthusiastic” in the classroom. Well, I wholeheartedly disagreed, and fast forward a number of years, enthusiasm is still core to my teaching philosophy. I am audaciously enthusiastic! I have a love and passion for teaching. I get a thrill from the ‘lightbulb’ moments, a buzz from the perseverance and hard work paying off, an excitement from the children’s excitement and love for learning. It's important to remember that what some people see as a flaw can be your biggest strength. 

I value kindness, creativity, and always trying to the best of our abilities. This is exemplified in the way that I teach a fun, varied, and engaging programme of work to inspire children now, and in the future. When we leave the classroom at the end of the day, we are better people than we were yesterday and we will be even better people tomorrow. How exciting is that?!

So, be kind, work hard, and have fun - always!

My experience/qualifications

After graduating, I was part of the Raising Attainment Programme, aiming to bridge the attainment gap in Scotland. In three months, I taught in 17 different schools. I would definitely recommend an experience like that for any new graduate teachers as it allowed me to share good practice, gain ideas and work on my own classroom management skills. I then settled down in my own school and it was there that I developed my interests in the upper school classroom and honed my skills for teaching 10-12 year olds. I have a Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Primary Education. I started at DPS in 2018. 

My special educational interests

• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths)

• Gifted & Talented

• Visual Art

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) at DPS

I want a school to be a place of safety, security and fun, where it’s okay to make mistakes, and, as such, prepare children for life, whilst also having lots of laughs along the way. STEM really allows you to do just that and more. My role allows me to work with external professionals, bringing STEM learning to children here at DPS as well as helping to provide STEM spaces to inspire children and provide confidence to my colleagues.

Gifted & Talented at DPS

My vision for ensuring that gifted and talented children are recognised is through providing programmes of learning that are not limiting for them. There is a phrase, “Low Threshold High Ceiling” and this really focuses on including and catering for all learners. By developing a growth mindset in children, we can understand and celebrate just how important challenge is in our learning journey.

About me

I’m originally from a small peninsula on the south-west coast of Scotland, called Kintyre. I taught in Scotland for four years before moving to New Zealand to be with my kiwi husband. 

My husband, Sam, and I live a lovely, quiet life here in New Zealand. We enjoy filling our weekends with D.I.Y. projects around our house, as well as spending time with our Golden Retriever, Thistle. We just adore her. Whilst Sam is working on his passion project, restoring his 1973 Austin Mini, you’ll find me in my LEGO room. I particularly enjoy building and displaying LEGO Harry Potter as it has been said that I’m quite the Harry Potter fan! I’d love to travel more and tick off a few countries that are on my list.