Heather Compton

Science and maths teacher

" My advice is get back in, it’s not scary! "

Coming back into teaching while raising a family and after varied corporate experience has proved very successful for science and maths specialist Heather Compton.

The many skills you develop in teaching, where you are a counsellor, organiser and mentor, are very useful in other areas. In our times overseas I never had trouble getting other jobs," Heather says.

" Part-time teaching is great when your own kids are young," Heather advises. " The pay is excellent and the flexibility so convenient."

Heather qualified as a teacher 15 years ago but has actually worked less than five full years. " I taught for a year, spent two years temping in the UK, taught at Avondale for three years, worked in planning and marketing for five years in Australia, did two years with the Auckland City Council, returned to teaching part-time (working .3, .5 or .8 of a week at different times) and now I’m back at Avondale College! " she laughs.

Her teaching philosophy is to build understanding and independent work habits in her students. " I relate science and maths to their lives, make it relevant. Teachers don’t always need to provide all the answers – I believe in working together to discover how to find the answers."

" There are so many great things about teaching: helping students who have been struggling to understand; giving lots of praise and positive support; seeing students responding positively and hearing them say ‘that was great’."

Heather recalls a fantastic moment recently was in her fourth form class. " They were all nervous about a test they had to sit. I was positive with them and reassured them that they would do well. When they all passed they were beside themselves with joy! "

When you have been out of the workforce for a while you can lose confidence. But Heather’s experience was very positive. " My advice is get back in, it’s not scary! "