Passionate about teaching vocation

Appin Park Primary School teachers Wendy Martin, Chris Vescio and Robyn Elliott all knew early in their lives that teaching was their vocation. Time has proven their belief correct, with each of the three dedicated educators having been recognised within the last 18 months for 35 years of service to the Victorian Department of Education. Wendy said she was in grade two when she decided she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her own primary school teachers, who were her role models. "It took me a while to work out whether I would focus on PE teaching or primary teaching, but I decided to do a double degree in PE," she said. "I started in classrooms, then did PE, and I've taught all class areas from grades three to six." Beginning work in Robinvale during the last year Victoria operated with three school terms, Wendy then spent a couple of years at Thoona Primary before having children. "Thoona had a really strong family community in a small school environment; when I came, they didn't have a room for me, so I was put into the garage with some redback spiders to deal with," she recalled. Returning to teaching in 1993, Wendy arrived in Wangaratta "along with the floods" and settled at Appin Park, where she's been ever since. Robyn's grandmother, who was the infant mistress at Corryong Primary School, was the inspiration for her move into teaching. "I never thought of being anything else," she said. "Later, I found out that my great-grandmother was also a teacher, and my mum used to tell me that I'd want to play schools and teach my brother when I was young, so I think I was destined to be a teacher." Robyn's career began in Gippsland as a casual relief teacher. Considering her family connections in Corryong, she was asked by the department to take on a prep teaching role at Tangambalanga, and spent a year there before returning to Gippsland and Churchill North Primary for a year, then applying to work in Melbourne and teaching in the multi-cultural area of Deer Park/St Albans. Next came a move to Wangaratta Primary, where Robyn taught PE for a year, then to Boorhaman Primary, a return to PE and Reading Recovery at Wangaratta West, emergency teaching at Appin Park, and a stint in the art van travelling to schools including Porepunkah and Wandiligong. Robyn returned to Appin Park after maternity leave to teach Japanese, learning the language at The Centre in between classes with her students. When she returned from another stint of maternity leave in 2002, she worked in Reading Recovery for 10 years, then moved back into the classroom in 2012 and worked in the junior area until three years ago, when she became a literacy tutor and library teacher. "I love Appin Park, I've never wanted to move to another school," she said. Chris Vescio was inspired to move into teaching by her 'Aunty' Joan, a family friend who was one of the first female primary school principals. "I also loved books, and working with young kids and helping them grow and develop," she said of her reasons for her career direction. Chris' teaching career began at Whorouly Primary, and she spent time at Thoona, Oxley and Edi before her move to Appin Park, where she's a classroom teacher in the junior area and enjoys the innocence of kids and their ability to make her laugh. All three teachers say their passion for the job remains after 35 years, with each finding their niche - Wendy in PE and increasingly providing support to families through the wellbeing space, Robyn promoting books and literacy, and Chris thoroughly enjoying her time with the school's youngest students. They have all experienced teaching multiple generations of a family, and enjoy the chance to connect with past students. "I'm teaching kids of kids I taught in prep; when you see them all grown-up, it's great," Chris said. "The ones who come and say hello are often the ones who struggled; they remember their time with you," Wendy added. The three teachers have seen significant change in the profession over 35 years, including through evolving technology and the effects of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. "Technology has impacted a lot of areas," Chris said. Robyn said the highlight of teaching during COVID was checking in with classes, when 10 to 12 students would jump online every day for much-needed face-to-face connection. Wendy, Robyn and Chris know the value of that kind of connection, and have seen over their careers the positive results it can bring. They encourage families to spend more time talking around the dinner table, reading to their children and engaging them in daily activities to nurture their understanding of the world and of people. They say they would also encourage young people to consider teaching as a career. "It's a difficult job, but the passion keeps you going," Wendy said.

Passionate about teaching vocation

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