Good practice powers great teachers
An interview with award-winning teacher and CSU graduate, Michelle Jerzyk
By Mark Gregory
Recently, Canada's largest newspaper, the Toronto Star, reported a comment made by controversial thinker and best-selling author, Malcolm Gladwell (The Tipping Point, Blink and Outliers) at a policy think tank in Toronto where Gladwell said, “Everything the world has learned about education shows that the quality of the teacher is the most important factor in a student’s success.”
Immediately on reading that comment, Ms Michelle Jerzyk came to mind. The Burlington, Ontario resident teaches grade 4/5 at Sam Sherratt Public School in Milton, one of Canada’s fastest growing young communities. She is also a 2007 graduate of the Bachelor of Primary Education Studies (BPES) program at Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Ontario, Canada Campus.
Michelle just won the prestigious 2010 Ontario Premier’s Award for Teaching Excellence in the New Teacher of the Year category; one of only three individuals recognised across Ontario in this category this year.
Ms Jerzyk’s accomplishment as a teacher has many cheering her on including parents, colleagues and her alma mater.
“The staff and alumni at Charles Sturt University are tremendously proud of Michelle’s achievement. Good on her!” said Dr Will Letts, Head of School for the Education Faculty at the Ontario Campus of CSU. “Michelle’s passion to meet the needs of each and every student, and her commitment to continuous learning and innovation in education is a wonderful reflection of the values and objectives of our BPES program.”
A short time ago, I had a chance to have a conversation with Michelle. I asked Ms Jerzyk how she got to the head of the class, and what it takes to forge an excellent teacher. Michelle’s remarks paid homage to her own instructors, her teaching colleagues, and her students. Her answers to my questions were both insightful and inspiring.
Mark Gregory: Tell us a little about how you got into teaching?
Michelle Jerzyk: I always wanted to be a teacher. I did some research on teaching as a career, and I explored the Faculties of Education at a number of large universities in Ontario, but finally chose Charles Strut University in Burlington.
Mark Gregory: CSU Ontario is a small campus with about 270 students each year. It graduates about 200 new teachers annually. What drew you there?
Michelle Jerzyk: I liked the course outlines of their Bachelor of Primary Education Studies program and the fact that they seemed really interested in me and why I wanted to be a teacher. They actually interview all candidates for the education program, and place a lot of emphasis on practicum in the classroom. I was impressed.
Mark Gregory: What were some of the highlights for you at CSU?
Michelle Jerzyk: The instructors at CSU are really great. It was so apparent that they love what they do. The lectures focused on best practices and the latest research. My instructors always had a knack of making the lessons fun and memorable and we had plenty of opportunities to try out what we learned in a class setting. Their approach to education in the classroom centres on reaching and teaching each and every child. In addition, my fellow students were equally passionate about teaching. So, our class discussions were pretty interesting.
CSU has an intensive practicum program that involves local school boards. That gave me a great chance to be part of a school community. I also did my third practicum session in Australia. That experience that was especially memorable.
Mark Gregory: How did you break into teaching?
Michelle Jerzyk: Well, I think the CSU practicum process really opened doors for me. Their partnerships with local Boards of Education gave me an opportunity to show what I could do in an actual classroom, and education community. The training I got at CSU prepared me well for what is a very demanding job. I am a pretty optimistic person, so right from graduation, I felt I was set up for success. Staying positive helped in my job search.
Mark Gregory: Tell us about your class?
Michelle Jerzyk: I teach a fantastic Grade 4/5 class of 28 students at Sam Sherratt Public School in Milton. My kids make it exciting to come to school every day.
Mark Gregory: What makes teaching so special for you?
Michelle Jerzyk: Teaching is a very rewarding vocation. For me, it’s all about my kids. I am inspired by them. They all are so different. It is amazing to watch them learn together and grow.
I am lucky too that the environment at Sam Sherratt is so welcoming and encouraging. My fellow teachers and my principal, Scott Pritchard are very supportive. We have a great team that works well together.
Mark Gregory: How do you put a ‘student-focus’ into practice in class?
Michelle Jerzyk: Well, lots of different ways but generally I try to remember that students need to feel safe in class. They need to feel that class is where they belong; a place they're valued. My job is to give them what they need each day and to foster that sense of community through discussions, exercises and games and other activities. In that environment, each student feels more comfortable making their learning 'happen' in our classroom community.
At Sam Sherrat School, we have a motto; 'Look after yourself—look after one another'. Our school theme is 'Get involved', so in class, I encourage each child to share their insights about what they are doing and seeing around them and to learn from each other.
Mark Gregory: What advice would you give student-teachers today about how to be a great teacher?
Michelle Jerzyk: Well, I would say; consider teaching a journey of life-long learning. To me, teaching excellence means always being curious about inventive new ways of doing things and employing creative methods of student-focused practice.
I would also say that teaching is hard work that requires real discipline in applying planning and good practice every day.
Mark Gregory: What would you say to them about job-hunting?
Michelle Jerzyk: Oh, that's a tough one! I'd say; stay positive and stay at it. Don't give up.
Mark Gregory: So, what does your future look like, Michelle?
Michelle Jerzyk: Well like any beginning teacher, I look ahead one year at a time. But I am delighted to be coming back to Sam Sherratt next year
Mark Gregory: Thanks and good luck!
In addition to the Bachelor of Primary Education Studies, CSU also offers the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, Master of International Education (School Leadership) and the Bachelor of Science (Forensic Biotechnology) from the Ontario Campus.
For information more on CSU’s Education programs, visit
www.csu.edu.au/faculty/educat/ontario/
For information on the CSU Ontario Campus and other programs offered by CSU, visit
www.charlessturt.ca
About the author: Mark Gregory acts as a communications advisor to CSU. A frequent writer on talent and innovation, he is Chairman of Burlington's Economic Development Authority and on the faculty of the new PR program at McMaster University.