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This prize is awarded to the graduand with the most outstanding academic and professional record in the vocational education field of practice, in the Bachelor of Education in Adult Education

1. What is your current occupation?

I am an Automotive Light Vehicle Teacher with TAFE NSW Blacktown. I am one of 20 teachers; where we have approximately 700 students a week.

2. What student achievements helped you win the award?

I approached each subject like I was doing my trade (sounds strange but this helped me). I used to work under a rather stressful environment because of the exotic cars that I used to repair. They needed to be carefully analysed for faults, repaired with complete quality workmanship and attention to detail was obviously very important. I approached each subject with this attitude and work ethic. Each assignment or exam; I put the same 100% effort in each time. I think life experience also was a factor.

3. How have you used the content of the BEd in your occupation?

I use it every day; teaching adolescent to young adult apprentices their trade. Varying from stage 1 to stage 3 in experience level. The most valuable content I have taken in my opinion is the experience I gained through witnessing different lecturers teaching examples and styles during the course. These styles I have tried to incorporate in my own teaching style. For example Peter Russell’s well organised and prepared lesson structure; David Taylor’s steady calm encouraging nature; Dr Ian Cornford’s attention to detail and superior knowledge of his craft (something I am still working on). One of the best parts of the course was where we were given a chance to teach our peers at UTS (this was a daunting task and I did not think so at the time), this helped me to discover my own teaching style.

4. Where do you see your career & lifelong learning going?

I will always be learning new things, I love the challenge of it and the BEd course has helped me to discover this. I would like to do my Masters in Education then perhaps continue on from there. As for my career I love teaching so that is where I will stay however, I see many changes in education for the future.