Brooke Canning

In 2024 I am no longer teaching Health due to the return of a teacher, so I have been appointed to Engagement full time. Last year saw Year 1 and Year 2 have increases in the amount of children achieving in Mathematics compared to 2022. I will be working with the Early Years again as well as some Literacy Intervention in Years 3 and 4.

Upon returning from maternity leave my principal had remembered my passion for inclusive and trauma informed education. The timing was perfect to take on a role in an Engagement/ Inclusion capacity. I am thoroughly enjoying this role getting to work with children of many ages and plan alongside the classroom teachers to try and achieve positive learning outcomes for these students. I am most proud of ability to build relationships with students and in this role, I can use my many years of trauma informed experience to maximise these opportunities. I also am currently my school's Health teacher two days a week due to an urgent need. I have a particular liking for Health and Physical Education also, so this has been enjoyable for me. Juggling the two roles has been a welcome challenge and it has led me to have been given me leadership opportunities to complete level 2 planning in Literacy and Numeracy as well as Health and Physical Education. I have been attending Curriculum and Social Justice meetings alongside the leadership team, as well as being a small part of the prep transitionand Early Years Network team.  I also am currently co-orchestrating a girl's group with the Year 5 girl's. This is a space to help our girl's with social issues and providing them a safe space to talk and play to myself and our guidance officer. 

After relocating to Rockhampton QLD, I was successful in securing a transfer to Waraburra State School where I taught a P/1 composite class. I had never taught this unlikely composite before and it challenged me in differentiation and planning like never before.   I was also pregnant with my first child during this time and left for maternity leave in October. 

This trauma informed school is where I have found my most passions. I have been fortunate enough to learn from incredible and attend many Professional Development courses to better myself as a trauma informed educator. My above philosophy has aligned perfectly here, where I have been able to have a large focus on building relationships and making children feel safe. Positive behaviour for learning is our prime tool. I have been relied upon to help admin with particular children who I have previously taught and I have continued to have a relationship with even after they move on from my class. I have a strong passion for behaviour management and through working in this supportive environment I have understood that working with children of trauma is a real strength of mine. I have completed the Berry Street School Trauma training,attended many other trauma PDs, a Black Card training on working with Indigenous students, as well as an introduction course on AUSLAN.  I also am currently taking the lead on our schools junior school literacy, in particular trying to streamline a common phonics and phonemic awareness program throughout our junior school.

I moved to Brisbane in April and was fortunate enough to pick up a fixed term job beginning Term 2. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, learning so much about the Australian curriculum and working collaboratively with an amazing staff. 

I completed my first year of teaching at this school. It was a decile 1a, with our families coming from very low socio-economic backgrounds. I received so many amazing Professional Development opportunities, made life long family members with the staff, and was able to extend my teaching practice in ways I never imagined. It was an incredible place to start my journey.

The Bachelor of Teaching Degree is a qualification that will set me up for a rewarding journey as Primary School Teacher.