Welcome to my first official blog for The Learning Network. Those of you who know me well, appreciate that I love a good chat and those who know me very well, recognise that I often share my opinion even when it is not asked for (thanks Nanni and Nan!)

Living on the beautiful Central Coast of NSW, you think I would have spent my break deep in a romantic novel or mystery story, but alas I have spent my holiday reading time catching up on about four professional reading books that I purchased throughout the year. I am a nerd, yes I know, I have been told many times before so I am not offended.

These school holidays have afforded me plenty of time to reflect on my journey as a teacher, particularly because of the exciting (and challenging) year that 2018 was and due to the holiday reading choices I have made. Two noteworthy books were Teacher by Gabbie Stroud and Shake Up Learning by Kasey Bell (and no we are not related!)

Teacher is definitely worth the download or purchase. I would ordinarily lend you my copy, but it is important to support authors as I only know too well how much they (don’t) get from the sale of their publications! Gabbie speaks about the challenges she faced in her teaching career. I really think she was writing about me, but in a primary school setting, her stories sound so familiar. Her novel had a profound impact on me and even though I don’t really want to spoil the end, she decided to leave teaching.

Ask my husband, I couldn’t put it down. Instead of keeping him company on an eight-hour road trip I was engrossed in this book! Gabbie had a lot of guts to leave our profession, I honestly don’t think I could ever imagine myself not teaching. I will be one of those old, grey haired PE teachers in a polo shirt, shorts, joggers and spray jacket still trying to run around the back field attempting to teach my students about invasion games.

Teacher has made me more determined, more motivated and inspired to support educators to continue to make a difference in the lives of our students and continue to work together as a collegial group through connecting, learning and growing together. Enter The Learning Network.

The second resource that I dove into also made me reflect on my role as a teacher because now I am responsible for leading the teaching of my five colleagues. In my previous school, I was only responsible for my own teaching. My programmes, my marking, my classes. Now, I have the privilege to lead, to inspire and to share my passion for education with my team.

Shake Up Learning reminded me to move past the admin of our work, to really focus on the purpose and reason why most of us made the brave decision to become teachers. To make learning meaningful, relevant, dynamic and fun using (mainly technological) tools that students can engage with and that can connect educators, such as using blogs just like this one and connecting us through social media.

My educational mantra to connect, support, network, learn and collaborate with educators has been part of the work I have done to connect teachers through The CAFS Network and ACHPER. So here I am. Inspired by Kasey Bell, I am about to shake things up a little and join with my colleagues to make a difference in education.

Welcome to The Learning Network, I can’t wait for you to join me on this journey!