Some people are born teachers, but even they need a teaching degree
The Bachelor of Science gives you so many options, you can specialise in what you love.
Teaching is in Ben Shoard’s blood. His dad was a maths teacher, and he was teaching taekwondo himself when he was only 13.
“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher since I was a kid,” he says.
While many teenagers would be horrified to be in a classroom with their parents, Ben says he actually wanted his dad to be his maths teacher because “he was the best!”
An astute judge of teaching skill, Ben has been watching his lecturers closely over the four years of his Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Teaching (now the Bachelor of Science/Master of Teaching), an ANU program run jointly with the University of Canberra.
“The best lecturers are the passionate ones, who really love their subjects and get distracted with little side notes,” he says.
Ben is now ready to be judged himself, as he graduates as a maths and biology teacher.
He says he feels well prepared by his studies.
“I’ve been really impressed with ANU, and the Bachelor of Science gives you so many options, you can specialise in what you love, so I hope I’ll be one of those passionate teachers one day.”
He’s also got his taekwondo experience to draw on if necessary.
“It can be advantageous and disadvantageous. Sometimes it’s a good thing and kids will respect you have that skill, and sometimes kids will try to pick a fight with me!”
As for his dad, Ben says he still thinks he’s the best.
“I still try to go to him for help occasionally. He’ll say he hasn’t done that kind of maths for forty-odd years!
“He’s now retired, but seeing how many people turned up to his farewell was inspiring.
“I actually won a Future Teacher scholarship from the Teachers Mutual Bank for an essay I wrote on why teaching is more than a job. And it is.
“It’s about building relationships, developing their knowledge and being responsible for what they do in the future.”
Do you want more than just a job? With a Bachelor of Science/Master of Teaching combined degree your profession can be an inspiration.
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