Head Of Science

• Dec 2021 - Present

Science Teacher - Biology Specialist

• Jan 2020 - Dec 2021

Science Teacher - Full-time position teaching Stage 4 and 5 Science and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Biology (Standard and Higher Levels) to Years 11 and 12.

Science Teacher

• Jan 2016 - Dec 2019

Full-time position teaching Stage 6 Biology, Stage 6 Senior Science and Science to Stages 4 and 5. As the sole teacher of Biology for the newly introduced 2017 Syllabus, I was responsible for all programming and resourcing. 40% of the first cohort (2019) achieved a Band 6 in Biology. I also supervised a student undertaking the new Investigating Science course via Distance Education. As this course is 60% skills-based, this involved close support and supervision of a significant amount of practical work. The student achieved a Band 5 result in this challenging course. As part of Northholm's Middle School Core Teaching Team, I taught both Science and Geography to Year 7, assisting these students in their transition to senior schooling. I participated in the school’s Pastoral Program as a Senior Tutor throughout this position, and was responsible for delivering the wellbeing program ‘Circle Solutions’, liaising with parents and providing pastoral support. I participated each year in the weekly co-curricular Study Boost program, providing structured support with assessment tasks and study skills. I was the school-based co-ordinator and co-Lead Rural Fire Service Instructor for the RFS Secondary Schools Cadet Program in 2017-2019. I was also involved in assisting with the school’s Agriculture program, both as a relief teacher and assisting with Cattle and Sheep Show Teams exhibiting at Hawkesbury, Castle Hill and Royal Easter Shows. Show less

Science Teacher

• Jun 2015 - Dec 2015

A part-time (0.8) position replacing a staff member on leave for Term 3. Classes taught included Year 12 Senior Science, Year 11 Biology, and Junior Science for Years 9 and 10. During this term I planned and co-ordinated the school's first formal Science Week activities, which were widely acclaimed by staff and students. My co-curricular contributions included assisting with the Rural Fire Service Secondary School Cadets and after school 'Study Boost' programmes. After the conclusion of this contract I was a regular Casual/Supply teacher at Northholm during Term 4 teaching Junior Science and Agriculture, and was offered a full-time permanent position commencing January 2016. Show less

Consultant

• Sep 2007 - Nov 2019

As a consultant for Stampin' Up!'s range of papercraft supplies, I developed my skills in sales, marketing, training, teamwork and leadership. I led a team of up to 22 demonstrators, both local and interstate prior to a change to corporate team structure. As a consultant for Stampin' Up!'s range of papercraft supplies, I developed my skills in sales, marketing, training, teamwork and leadership. I led a team of up to 22 demonstrators, both local and interstate prior to a change to corporate team structure.

Classroom Teacher

• Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

This full-time position was filling a short-term vacancy at one day's notice, demonstrating my capacity to adapt rapidly to new environments and deliver immediate and effective results. Subjects taught included Years 7-10 Science, Year 7 Connecting Learning and Life and Year 8 PDHPE. This full-time position was filling a short-term vacancy at one day's notice, demonstrating my capacity to adapt rapidly to new environments and deliver immediate and effective results. Subjects taught included Years 7-10 Science, Year 7 Connecting Learning and Life and Year 8 PDHPE.

Classroom Teacher

• Jan 2014 - Dec 2014

I was employed as a Temporary Science teacher of Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 at Cheltenham Girls High School in a 0.7 x position. The Australian Curriculum for NSW was implemented for all Year groups, for the first time in 2014. This involved extensive preparation of new materials and resources to reflect the new content and Syllabus.

Classroom Teacher

• Feb 2013 - Dec 2013

During 2013 I was employed by 8 different schools in the Northern Sydney area for a total of 67 teaching days. The majority of these casual days were teaching science, with some mathematics, English, HSIE, TAS and PDHPE classes where required.

Ethics Co-ordinator

• Jan 2010 - Apr 2014

This volunteer role involved liaison with schools, parents, Ethics teachers and the Primary Ethics organisation. Duties included recruitment and qualification of volunteer teachers and maintaining records for Primary Ethics. This volunteer role involved liaison with schools, parents, Ethics teachers and the Primary Ethics organisation. Duties included recruitment and qualification of volunteer teachers and maintaining records for Primary Ethics.

Small business Operator

• Mar 2006 - Jul 2009

After the birth of my second child, I established and ran a picture framing business. Skills developed include all aspects of business ownership; ordering stock, accounting, customer service, web-based commerce and construction of picture frames. This role allowed me to maintain a positive work-life balance, whilst retaining some of the creative aspects and precision involved in scientific research. After the birth of my second child, I established and ran a picture framing business. Skills developed include all aspects of business ownership; ordering stock, accounting, customer service, web-based commerce and construction of picture frames. This role allowed me to maintain a positive work-life balance, whilst retaining some of the creative aspects and precision involved in scientific research.

Post Doctoral Research Scientist

• Mar 2004 - Apr 2005

Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious DiseasesThis position involved the design and construction of a large scale tissue culture seedlot for use by the IBID research team. Several host cell strains and eight different strains of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum parasites were cultured. I was involved in all aspects of the project, including quality control and Standard Operating Procedure documentation as well as the tissue culture and cryopreservation of seedlot material.

Casual Academic

• Aug 2002 - Mar 2004

Laboratory Demonstration and TutorialsClinical Microbiology and Public Health Microbiology subjects

Casual Academic

• Jan 1996 - Jan 2002

Practical Class Demonstrator / Tutor in the subjects Molecular Biology 1, Microbiology 1, Microbiology 2, Microbiology 3 and Clinical Bacteriology. My duties included student assistance and supervision, class preparation, tutorial preparation and presentations, examination and assignment marking.

Research Officer

• Jan 2000 - Sep 2001

This position involved research aimed at developing a recombinant subunit vaccine against Eimeria for use in chickens. Techniques included primary cell culture, and culture of parasites in vivo and a number of general protein and molecular methods. Immunisation trials using the purified recombinant protein demonstrated a protective effect upon parasite challenge. This project involved a significant 'trouble-shooting' component as several protein expression systems and purification techniques were tested before obtaining optimal expression of functional protein. The end product from this research was developed into a commercial subunit Eimeria vaccine, CoxAbic(R), successful in preventing transmission of this important parasitic disease of broiler chickens. Show less

Scientific Officer

• Jan 1994 - Mar 1996

Development of molecular techniques for the diagnosis of viroid diseases in Australian citrus. As the sole active researcher on this project, I developed a new extraction procedure and RT-PCR Assay. Using these methods, the cost of indexing citrus trees for viroids was reduced by more than 50%, and both speed and sensitivity of diagnosis were greatly increased. Duties included management of funds, ordering, and all aspects of scientific design. I was also responsible for educating growers about the findings and implications of the research, and translating the technology into an accessible form. Show less

Casual Academic

• Jan 1993 - Nov 1993

Practical Class Demonstrator in the subject Molecular Biology 1. My duties included preparation for classes, marking and supervising and assisting students. Practical Class Demonstrator in the subject Molecular Biology 1. My duties included preparation for classes, marking and supervising and assisting students.