"I liked the community engagement" - Natalie Creighton

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Find out more about studying Master of Teaching at UWS.

Natalie Creighton, Master of Teaching (Secondary)

When Natalie Creighton decided to leave her successful career in media and conference production for something more satisfying she decided to enrol in the Master of Teaching (Secondary) at UWS. Little did she know that on the week after finishing her course she would be launching her new teaching career.

Due to start her new job at Northmead High in a few days time Natalie is thrilled with the direction her life has taken.

She made the choice to study at UWS after considering a range of universities. 

“One of the main reasons for me to choose the UWS course was that it’s succinct. It’s very oriented to what you’re going to need as a teacher in a secondary school today,” says the former Armidale High student.

 “You have such diverse classes so you learn about cultural values and diversity.”

It was the social and community interaction the course offered that really attracted her.“At UWS we do two pracs in the first and second semester where we teach within a classroom. You find that at all universities but at UWS you do a third prac which is a community based prac,” she says.

“It’s where you get to experience a form of teaching or mentoring but within a community setting,” she says.

“You get to know student needs better and I think it sets you up to be a better teacher.”

How?

It’s all about understanding the context of the students says Natalie. She elected to participate in the Refugee Action Support (RAS) program as part of her Professional Experience Three. This experience has proven pivotal in how this newly graduated teacher will approach her important work.

“When refugees first come to Australia they go to an Intensive English Centre where I was lucky enough to do my first prac. Then they transition into high school and unless you have that experience you’re not going to understand what they’re trying to deal with and you’re not going to understand how to be a good teacher for them,” she says.