Meet the Team - Rob

What is your role at TPAA?

I am a level one administrative support, which means I'm one of the first people you encounter by phone, email or chat when you contact Red Union.

What is your background/experience?

I'm Queensland, born and bred.  

My background has been in education for 40 years with over half that time in senior leadership roles (Principal and Assistant Principal).  I have worked in the independent sector, mostly the Catholic system. All of my experience has been within primary schools, having taught all year levels except Prep. Loved to visit but didn't want to stay!

I hold Diploma of Teaching, Bachelor of Education, Graduate Diploma Arts, Master of Education and a Certificate in Theology. I have coupled this with lots of odd jobs along the way: Accounts clerk, Chef, DJ, Sales, Santa, Tutor, Taxi & Uber driving.  

I have a blended adult family - wife, 5 sons and 1 daughter. 

What do you think the biggest issue facing teachers is right now?

Government decisions and societal values have made the teaching profession extremely challenging right now.  The lack of respect for any authority figure in contemporary western society is having an impact, especially on behaviours from parents and students. Teachers have demands beyond their training when dealing with a range of issues - especially the matter of inclusive education, escalating challenges in student behaviour, managing an overcrowded curriculum and the expectation to create work programs tailored at multiple levels of abilities.

Unfortunately teachers can no longer just teach. The decision makers need to go spend some time in real classrooms and attempt to undertake what they expect teachers to do.

What do you like to do outside of work?