Dion's journey from tradesman to teacher is a testament to the power of passion and persistence. For as long as he can remember, Dion has been driven by a desire to make a difference. This motivation has guided him through various roles, from mentoring to social interactions, and now, into the classroom. The Department of Education's Trade to Teach Internship Program was the opportunity Dion needed to share his skills and pursue a new career.
After years of working as a tradesman, Dion wanted to share his knowledge and skills with others. "Making a difference has been my motivation for as long as I can remember. Teaching others has been part of this motivation, whether socially, in mentoring or at work," he shares.
Dion's decision to pursue a career in education was not taken lightly. He recognised the impact that a good teacher can have on students' lives and wanted to be that positive influence. His journey began with enrolling in a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) at UniSQ, where he found a supportive community and the resources he needed to succeed.
In his second year, Dion embarked on the internship phase of his program, taking on the role of an industrial technology and design teacher intern at a local secondary high school, all while continuing to pursue his education degree. Pleasantly surprise at how well the program is run, Dion appreciated the support, flexibility and opportunities to gain real-world experiences. "The UniSQ Trade to Teach teams have been brilliant in offering the guidance we needed to transition from the building site to the classroom."
Throughout his studies, Dion has embraced the challenges and rewards of becoming a teacher. He has discovered that teaching is not just about imparting knowledge but also about inspiring and motivating students. "If you like helping others, teaching is a great vocation to allow you to help so many people. I’m now able to teach unsupervised, allowing me to dive deep into where my students are at and how I can best help them during their study journey".
Dion's journey shows that it's always possible to pursue your passion and switch careers. By inspiring his students every day, Dion demonstrates that with the right drive, anyone can reach their goals.
