Quality teachers are one of the greatest assets a school can offer its students. At Matthew Flinders Anglican College, we celebrate our hard working and compassionate team of teachers and staff who guide the students in their care.
In this staff profile, we share a Q&A with Flinders Year 1 Teacher, Mrs Ali Carter who - we are sure you will agree - has incredible kindness and positivity to share with her students, and our Flinders families.
We hope you enjoy the read!
Q&A Profile with Mrs Ali Carter
How will you support and guide the students at Flinders and the College community?
I am guided in my teaching by my personal philosophy, which is to engage, inspire and care. One of my beliefs is that we need to create emotionally safe classrooms where students are recognised by their unique qualities and diverse backgrounds. This approach then enables us as educators to do the important work of building environments where students enjoy learning and are able to develop positive core values that will guide them through life.
What's more, I believe that understanding each individual child’s interests, abilities and family situations is critical in building positive relationships and in creating and sustaining a safe, supportive and productive learning environment.
What are you looking forward to about your new role?
Teaching is incredibly rewarding. When working with children in primary schools, there is the feeling that we may be the most important adult in each of their lives, outside of their family.
A new school environment means new faces, personalities and opportunities. I am looking forward to implementing new teaching strategies, continuously learning and tapping into the creative side of teaching.
Please share your background story.
I completed a Business Degree where I majored in Human Resources Development.
After working in Human Resources for five years, I decided to follow my dreams of becoming a teacher and completed my Postgraduate Masters Degree. Whilst completing this degree, I was lucky enough to work as a Teacher Aide, which equipped me with the knowledge and skills to make a smooth transition into teaching. It was the best decision I ever made.
I love working with children and feel very lucky to be working at such a reputable school as Matthew Flinders Anglican College.
What have you enjoyed about your career to date?
I previously worked as a Teacher Aide at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Brisbane and as a Teacher at Eagle Junction State School, also in Brisbane. They were both fantastic schools that taught me a lot about teaching pedagogies, working collaboratively and finding a collegial support system. I have found a strong collegial support system here at Flinders!
What is special about living on the Sunshine Coast?
I love being so close to the sea that I can enjoy it every day. If I feel like going for a swim or an ‘attempt’ at surfing, all I have to do is walk down to the beach. I also enjoy the variety of hikes, beautiful camp spots and the small-town feel that comes with living on the Coast.
What is enjoyable about working in a school community?
In most professions, people go to work in an environment that has already been created for them. As a teaching community, together we create a positive environment that enriches learning, not only in the classroom but within the school community. Together we inspire each other and our students to work hard, be happy, creative and energetic!
I am a values’ driven person so I was initially attracted to the Flinders values of Courage, Respect, Integrity and Compassion. It's rewarding to see that when teachers demonstrate strong positive values, students observe these core values and begin to implement and model them in their own life.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Patience is a virtue!
Who gave you the advice and how has it helped you to grow as a person?
I actually can’t remember when I first heard that advice. However, I remember my accounting teacher used it daily. I struggled with Accounting as a subject during high school. I managed to see the subject through, despite regularly considering quitting, thanks to hard work, dedication and a lot of support and guidance from my teacher. This is an achievement that has stuck with me and one I am proud of. I want to instil in my students a confidence for them to persevere, particularly when faced with challenges
