Kimberly Machado - Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary)

"My undergraduate degree was in sports and recreation majoring in physical activity and nutrition. After my graduation, I worked with children which sparked an interest in teaching children more about physical literacy and keeping active. The Graduate Diploma in Teaching seemed like a natural career progression after working in sport for three and a half years. 

“One part of the programme I really enjoyed was meeting people who have come from so many varied backgrounds with their own skill sets and expertise. Being a teacher requires so much collaboration. Having the chance to talk, discuss and bounce ideas off my fellow classmates has been incredibly valuable during lectures and workshops. I would like to think that some of these people will be lifelong friends and colleagues someday.
 

“The best thing about working in a school environment is that every day is different. During practicums, you get the opportunity to put all the theory into practice, reflect on it and then make it your own. Working with a wide range of students who all come to school with different abilities and personalities has inspired me to work harder and to make the effort to get to know the children a little better.

“Following my graduation, I would love to work at an intermediate school. Being on practicum at an intermediate school, especially in an innovative learning space, has really cemented my decision. In the next ten years, I would love to be working as a specialist PE teacher.

“I would highly recommend this programme, and if I could give one piece of advice, it would be to take the leap and apply. It is a course that asks a lot of you but it so incredibly rewarding in such a small amount of time.”