Miami State High School teacher April Clarke has a calling to inform, to present and to tell stories.
Landing a dream job out of university in network television as a news journalist, her weeks were filled with all sorts of adventures, from police investigations to Christmas Carols, at any time of the day and night.
As glamorous as being in front of the camera and first to the scene may sound, after a while, the Gold Coast native felt a niggling sense that press-life wasn’t forever.
'I started journalism because I loved writing and presenting, as quite a creative person, I loved crafting and delivering peoples stories,' said April.
'The news can be quite depressing at times and I found that quite challenging, I could see myself changing as a person, becoming a bit numb to reality. One day, I looked at my boss and thought ‘do I want to be in their shoes in 10 years?’ And the answer was ‘no’.'
That was the moment April began to rethink her career and with a background tutoring throughout university, she leant to teaching.
'Since graduating high school, I have tutored and worked with debate teams as a coach,' she said.
'My foot was somewhat in the door, already dabbling (in teaching), so it was a natural progression.'
So, how does a former television reporter fare in the career switch to teaching?
April lists the top 4 ways her super skills are playing out on her new stage.
1. I’m exercising my expertise daily.
April shares that the joy and creativity in presenting she enjoyed so much in her news career are utilised extensively in the classroom.
'It’s really interesting because initially I thought I wouldn’t get to do presenting and writing,' she said.
'However, as an English teacher, it’s my bread and butter. I present every day; my students are my audience.
It's so nice to work with young creators and writers, share their creativity and inspire their work. I’m immersed in literature daily and it’s such a positive experience.'
2. I bring real world experience that the students can learn from.
Through her on the job experience, April believes she can bring the curriculum to life from off the pages in books into reality for her students.
'As a reporter, I was out on the streets everyday speaking to the public,' she said.
'Students don’t often get to interact with the community, so I try not to restrict their learning to the classroom and incorporate getting out into the real world to encourage social interaction and critical thinking.'
3. I appreciate the job of teaching.
Coming from an industry where 3am wake up calls to cover road accidents are the norm, April finds she has hit the jackpot with the employee conditions for teachers.
'It’s so good. The students are amazing, the lifestyle is unreal,' she exclaims.
'Honestly, coming from such an intense field (journalism), I’m so appreciative of the structure and organisation that comes with teaching.
When I take marking home, I’m sitting on the couch relaxing and it’s such a dream. I have such a different perspective and that’s invaluable.
Teaching is such a humanitarian job. It gives me so many endorphins and my entire character has changed, it’s amazing!'
4. I’m still learning!
Alongside the lifestyle perks her career change to teaching has provided, April’s discovered her professional development is also thriving.
'With my background, I was naturally matched to (teach) English,' she said.
'However, I’ve since had the opportunity to teach history and geography, which I love.
I am constantly developing as a teacher, whereas other industries you often specialise and become pigeon holed. Now, here I am teaching about Ancient Egypt and absolutely into it!'
If you’re curious about how your existing skills may transfer perfectly to the classroom, find out more about becoming at teacher on the
steps to become a teacher page.