I view teaching and learning through a 21st-century lens, positioning educators and students together, and collaborating as knowledge co-constructors. The broad scope of my work as an ESL teacher, aide for primary students, and private tutor comes with a unique set of circumstances. The diverse range of opportunities afforded to me now informs my pedagogical and life choices. I am flexible and love to engage in inclusive frameworks that consider multiple perspectives and values-based learning.

My professional values and performance are consistent across all roles. As a self-driven online university student, I continuously prove my accountability and commitment to growth. I am motivated by setting examples of positive learning dispositions and believe I model lifelong learning attributes like confidence and capability by upskilling and expanding my knowledge base.

Learning and education are daily practices in our home, I am a fun-loving, blessed parent, with a passion to inspire students! We are a host family for international students studying English on the Gold Coast and absolutely love indulging in the range of cultural, educational, and social opportunities with students from all over the world. I have volunteered for reading and literacy support at my daughter’s school and support classroom activities and school excursions.  

My career path has included traveling the world, working in both in paid positions across Europe and volunteering in Africa and South America in orphanages and primary schools. This taught me to adapt to diverse cultures and teaching practices. I developed a strong understanding of my passion to learn from people of all ages and specifically from different cultures and backgrounds to my own.

A real-world example of adapting to flourish

We all faced changes when Covid-19 hit, me included. At the time, all my students were in IELTS preparation and homestay groups. As international students returned home, all Gold Coast English Language schools and teachers faced cancellations with no future bookings insight for the study tour industry. While challenging, opportunities for professional growth came from acting and adapting. Recognising new patterns in student needs as they emerged as a driver of change. As a result, I implemented online delivery modes and modified curriculum materials to align with shifting community needs. While no one was prepared, the ability to work flexibly was key to adapting to the new paradigm.

There is always a special space saved for our international students.

I am motivated and welcome change, which includes effective management of my dynamic work and study spaces. Respectful engagement with reciprocity and active listening are the secret powers I have fine-tuned. These skills have proven fundamental to my approach; a model that values student voices and contributions in their learning journeys. I love drawing from contemporary digital and design technologies to embed 21st Century skills and a growth mindset into my learning and development. I firmly believe that being ‘literate’ is an ever-expanding concept. The most proficient method of mastering any learning path is to practice, reflect, and repeat!

Mastering skills and knowledge across all literacies is proving fundamental to higher-order thinking and effectively transforming any learner’s capacity to absorb new and existing knowledge. Therefore, I am always pursuing ways of broadening my scope and repertoire of contemporary multiliteracies.

🎓Bachelor of Education Studies 🔗 

WHY I teach

 It is a privilege to facilitate the development of our future leaders and I love being a part of their personal growth, goal-kicking, and achievements. Quite simply, acquiring more professional experience with all learners is my driver. 

WHAT  I teach

Private and group tuition is such an effective and invaluable way to expand students' learning skills, knowledge base, self-confidence, and intuitions because the learning is personal and student-centred. I am confident, comfortable, and highly capable in this role. 

HOW I teach

21st-century education has evolved, making it an exciting time to tap into novel and creative learning. It's my personal belief that quality tuition must be interactive and tailored to suit the individual needs of each learner. 

I love engaging with popular and niche digital delivery modes and regularly upskill myself with any multimedia resources, materials, and tools available to me. Microsoft Sway and Google Sites have taken the coding out designing webpage content with familiarity and continuity that inspires me to develop my digital skills and capacities. This includes systems-thinking and design solutions as fundamental to becoming increasingly multiliterate. 

Theory and this thinking model inform my 21st-century approach to teaching practices and life-long learning experiences. What a time to be alive! I have used Google Sites and Sway to foster children's creativity while providing a unique workspace to showcase their skills, knowledge, and learning understandings.

I cultivate a culture of respectful learning and cooperation by understanding my student’s diverse needs and knowing how to facilitate the process. Supporting individual children with weekly one-on-one tutoring sessions allows me to assess, facilitate and monitor their development with a personalised learning pathway. I always source up-to-date relevant educational resources and vary curriculum delivery modes based on student goals, interests, strengths, and needs. Student assessment requires more than standardised testing. For my students, monitoring, assessment, and reporting are ongoing processes they actively participate in. Their level of engagement will determine effectiveness, improvement, and level of success. This holistic approach fosters student responsibility and deeper understandings through self-examination and reflection.

I draw from theorists like Vygotsky, Bronfenbrenner, and Brunner. Everyone learns differently, the processes are fluid and highly influenced by dynamic peer and social engagements, media trends, and family settings. I provide a safe zone for self-expression as my experience indicates learners benefit from sharing their thoughts, ideas, experiences, and passions with an audience that is curious and respectful of their choices. This has proven successful in learning about students' interests and passions from them which enables me to differentiate curriculum with relevant information and meaningful content.

Dana Tietjen B.A Education Studies