Humans of St John’s
Welcome to the latest edition of Humans of St John’s featuring dedicated Primary Teacher, Janaya Neal, and her journey to St John’s.
Pictured: Janaya (second from the left) with her Mother Janene (far left), Grandmother Noelene, Sister Shailey and Brother John.
Growing up I always knew I wanted to work with children, but the path to becoming a teacher had its twists and turns. My journey started in a small little town at the bottom of the Blue Mountains called Wallacia. My friends and I would often ride our bikes to each other’s houses to play ‘schools’ with our pretend classes. I adored the teachers at my tiny Catholic school and always aspired to embody their kindness, infectious energy, and curiosity for learning. However, it wasn’t until high school that I truly realised the profound impact a teacher could have on a student’s life.
At the age of 16, while studying abroad in the United States, there was one teacher that stood out from the rest. She took me under her wing and assumed the role of a caregiver during my time away from home. She embodied the ideal teacher that every student adored, displaying a genuine interest in our lives, forging connections with our families, inspiring us to be the best versions of ourselves, and providing unwavering support through every challenge we faced. Witnessing her transformative influence on her students’ lives left an indelible mark on me.
Fast forward a few years and several changes in my academic pursuits, I eventually found my calling in a Bachelor of Arts and Education, specialising in Primary Education. It felt like the perfect fit, the space where I could have the greatest impact on the lives of children and genuinely love what I did every day.
By this time, my family had traded in the countryside for the coastline, settling in the picturesque Coolangatta. Our weekends were filled with beach outings, exploratory drives, culinary adventures, scenic walks and hikes, festivals, and quality time with our loved ones. We were a family unafraid of embarking on exciting journeys and were always on the lookout for great places to eat and memorable experiences.
During my third year of university, the opportunity to study abroad beckoned once more. Having cherished my initial experience in the United States, I had no doubts about returning and found myself heading off to Wisconsin. It was here that, as one of the only Australians on campus, I was convinced to play rugby for the first time. I joined the women’s rugby team and this is how I met my partner Colt who had been a part of the men’s rugby team at the same university.
At the conclusion of that year abroad, Colt made the monumental decision to uproot his life and relocate to Australia to support me as I completed my degree and embarked on my teaching career. Before completing my degree, I was awarded a scholarship to participate in a teacher immersion program in Cambodia, lasting six weeks. Colt held down the fort while I immersed myself in diverse schools, collaborated with extraordinary educators, and enriched my teaching toolkit with invaluable skills and experiences.
Upon my return to Australia, I was offered a permanent full-time teaching position at Silkwood School in the beautiful Gold Coast Hinterland. I had previously completed my final practicum at this school and had fallen in love with its innovative approach, focusing on personalised learning and equipping students to become competent and skilled young adults who were confident in their decision-making abilities. Starting my career in such a progressive learning environment deepened my understanding of quality teaching and how to cater to the unique needs of my students.
Subsequently, I transitioned to a more traditional form of education at Canterbury College, where I had the opportunity to contrast different educational systems and identify where my educational values lay. In 2021, I joined St John’s, where I found the ideal blend of academic rigour and student-driven inquiry, along with an understanding and appreciation of the unique needs and abilities of each individual child. I have loved implementing the Primary Years Program at St John’s and watching my students build self-efficacy and make proactive decisions about their learning. I love their inquisitive minds and confidence to source information and take action in the community.
Since earning my undergraduate degree, I pursued a Master’s in Education, specialising in Educational Leadership. I transitioned from predominantly teaching upper-primary classes in my previous schools to instructing Year 3 students at St John’s. Each day, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside esteemed educators. Our exceptional leadership team values the unique qualities each of us brings to the table, which is one of the many aspects I adore about this community.
