News Archive

Tell us about your career in Education and when you began your work with UWA.
I spent 1974 to 1998 teaching in schools in Western Australia.  I worked in both country and city schools, including schools of great challenge.  I taught all year levels with my final years at Winthrop Primary School.  I have worked in five universities since moving away from school teaching – Murdoch, University of Canberra, Australian Catholic University, Edith Cowan and UWA. I began at UWA in August 2009; the second semester of the Master of Teaching (Primary).

What are the high points of your career?
The high points are the amazing variety of people I have worked with and the opportunities that were presented to me along the way.  When working at ACU I was lucky enough to be offered Doctoral Release time to complete my doctorate.  When working at Edith Cowan I was lucky enough to work with Professor Judith Rivalland within the Fogarty Research Centre.  As part of my role at UWA I was fortunate to be able to take the Master of Teaching beyond the city and build an off-shoot in Albany.

You played an important role in the coordination and teaching of students enrolled in the Master of Teaching courses in Albany.  What have been the highlights during this time?
It has been amazing to see the success of the graduating students who have found positions in a variety of schools.  A second highlight has been working with Kathy Fenwick – a truly inspirational person – and to engage with my Crawley colleagues from a distance.

What have you been most proud of in terms of your contribution to the Albany teaching.
My greatest pride is in celebrating the student successes.  I have also been incredibly proud of the work of colleagues from Crawley and how they have embraced the challenges of distance with great professionalism.

Do you have any plans following your retirement?
Going to the beach, playing my ukulele and visiting my grandchildren will feature highly.

Media references

Siaw Chai , Marketing and Communications Officer  +61 (08) 6488 2382