In this edition of 'Meet the Teacher' we speak with Ms. Jacqueline Tjorpatzis, a member of our Primary School Teaching team.
Name: Jacqueline Tjorpatzis - Year 3.1 Classroom Teacher / Year Level Co-ordinator (Year 3) - jacqueline.tjorpatzis@marymede.vic.edu.au
What is your role at the College?
I am fortunate and blessed to have a beautiful Year 3 class at Marymede Catholic College. I am also the Year Level Coordinator for Year 3.
Tell us about an interesting project or topic that you are currently running with one of your classes?
As part of my Research Project for my Masters Degree in Education: (Student Wellbeing), I will be implementing mindfulness, meditation and positive education strategies inside and outside of the classroom. I will be running meditation this Semester at lunch time for a range of different year levels. My goal is to teach children (and even adults) multiple strategies to enhance their own wellbeing.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a Teacher?
To teach is a blessing. Each day I get the opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life. As a teacher, I’m a lifelong learner so I get to learn with the kids which is always exciting. I love seeing the journey of all students – especially those I have taught - from Prep to Year 12. I know that I had an overwhelming feeling of joy and pride seeing the students I taught in Year 1 commence in Year 7 this year. That is what makes Marymede Catholic College so special. Not many schools in Victoria give you the opportunity to see the journey from Prep to Year 12. I love seeing how the kids evolve over time and how much more “grown up” they become. Especially being a Primary teacher, I get to see a bigger and beautiful change. I love it!
Fast Five:
Favourite Food: Hot Chips.
Favourite Movie/TV Show: Avatar & The Voice (The talent on that show is amazing!)
Hidden Talent or Something We May Not Know About You: I make an effort each day to be positive by: meditating, using affirmations & gratitude, reading inspirational books and quotes and I also love to write. I enjoy teaching mindfulness and meditation techniques for increasing someone’s wellbeing. I also love to help people in any way possible so I am studying my Masters Degree in Student Wellbeing and I am also a qualified life coach and hypnotherapist (don’t worry I won’t make you flap your arms like a chicken when I speak to you!).
Favourite Sporting Team/Athlete: Collingwood FC, Melbourne Victory, Manchester United and Melbourne Vixens (I love sport!)
If You Could Pick Any 3 People as Dinner Guests, Who Would They Be and Why?:
Joan of Arc - This girl provided hope to the French people and led a whole army to victory. It took courage, strength, assurance and trust in her own abilities. She inspires me to inhabit these qualities as well. I’d love to know how she did it!
- “I am not afraid... I was born to do this.”
Louise Hay - The leading pioneer of positive thinking, affirmations and on how our thoughts can create our reality. Her story is another which inspires me on how she overcame cancer through a positive mindset and changing her life for the good. Her books and publishing company leads the industry in self-help and her books have transformed many lives. I’d love to get her advice on how I can impact the people around me for positive change as she has.
- “The best gift we can give to children is to teach them to love themselves”
Jesus - One of the greatest teachers of all time. One man who changed the world. He demonstrated love and compassion to all those people with whom he encountered. This took a special person to do it all. Looking beyond his divinity, he changed humanity through his words and actions. I find this incredible and fascinating. I’d love to understand how he thinks, what words of wisdom he would impart for today’s modern society and how he had the ability to heal people instantly.
- “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (The golden rule)
Photo by Liam McCormack