If there’s ever an example of the positive impact a good teacher can have on their students, it’s the year 9 students at Stanthorpe State High School and their commitment to fibre consumption.
Having a microbiologist as their science teacher to inform them of the perils of fecal impaction is definitely an engaging way to bring study to life in the classroom and for Chandell Pole, Deputy Principal at Stanthorpe, it is one of the best perks of her job.
'I wanted to teach when I left school, but I also wanted some genuine experience to share, so I went into science (medical biotechnology),' she said.
'I had the right personality for that kind of work (any of the biology stuff that involves humans), particularly the sense of humour, which most scientists have,' she said.
After spending years behind a microscope, fascinated by severed toes, stool samples, germs; as she said, 'all the icky things that can make people faint,' she decided it was time to take her real-world experience and use it to inspire a new generation of scientists.
Without a doubt, her students have benefited from that personality and experience as they are exposed to all the delights of human biology.
'Kids need to be engaged and when you’re willing to talk about real world things that you’ve seen or experienced, it adds weight to what you’re teaching.
Providing evidence through sharing fun, gross or exciting stories
that are awesome and innovative, (such as working with a lady who discovered a protein to grow bone cells), inspires the students to want to be one of those people.'
Aside from the delight in exploring science, it’s the human impact that has produced the most profound results for Chandell.
'Most people go into science to make a difference and leave an impact on the world, that’s also what teachers do,' she said.
'People trust schools and teachers, they are a constant in the student’s lives and that humanity that we bring as a human profession, can’t be replaced by a machine. That’s really special.'
Traditionally, career progression in the science fields can go 2 ways: become an expert or repository of knowledge, or evolve from the subject matter into a leadership role with human development taking focus. For Chondell, it was this sharing of knowledge and inspiring the growth of other scientists that motivated her next steps.
'I started to realise that more than being behind the microscope, I enjoyed when new staff would join the lab. Sparking an interest in them for what we were doing was exciting. This was when I knew teaching would be a good fit for me.'
A good fit seems to be an understatement, with the natural storyteller thriving in the education system; taking the same enthusiasm for learning and growth into her new career, climbing to a deputy principal position.
'I gained a lot of confidence from my previous career in terms of work readiness, maturity and understanding that I wouldn’t have had if I went into the classroom straight out of school,' she said.
'I can see the positive side of teaching. I have worked shift work and Christmases and in thankless roles without a lot of human interaction. Which I see is common for other teachers who have travelled the similar pathway (with a prior professional career).'
To explore how we can support you to make a mid-career change, visit
Turn to Teaching, or to find out more about take the steps to a new career in teaching, visit the
steps to become a teacher page.