Say hello to the fabulous Sarah Weston (of @giftedandtalentedteacher), our Term 3 #TeacherFeature!
Sarah is a kind-hearted, inspiring and creative Deputy Principal, who founded Gifted and Talented Teacher as a resource to uplift, support and celebrate teachers' creativity.
The website offers free and paid literacy, numeracy and wellbeing resources to ignite creativity and spark curiosity among her community of over 71K+ followers… it’s absolutely AHHMAZING and we highly recommend checking it out!
Sarah’s incredible support of her community and focus on her student’s well being is at the core of everything she does. Sarah also promotes prioritising your own wellbeing. By setting boundaries and prioritising self care, Sarah has found that she can be the best version of herself… We absolutely LOVE this!
Read our chit chat with Sarah below about her philosophies, the importance of spreading kindness and her ambassadorship with Ronald McDonald House. #celebratingamazingwomen
RO: As a Relieving Deputy Principal in the first half of this year, and now Assistant Principal, how do you find the time and inspiration to keep creating wonderful resources and inspire others via your platform?
SW: To be honest, the Gifted and Talented Teacher has always been a hobby, a creative outlet and a safe space to share the rollercoaster ride that is the teaching profession. Since the beginning, my online presence in the teaching community has been woven into the fabric of my life. It has never been an “add on” or a “burden” and has come naturally to me.
I enjoy using my creativity as a release from a busy day and challenge myself to learn a new skill. Again, these tasks aren’t stressors – they honour my wellbeing by engaging a range of pillars that define the concept of thriving.
The role of the Deputy Principal is pre-empting, preventing and pivoting. If things are running smoothly, if casual staff know exactly what they’re doing and teachers feel organised… then you’re doing your job.
Through my platform I continue to share my lows [minus the tears] with the hope that it normalises TOUGH DAYS! I love my job. My gosh I love the kids and the relationships. HOWEVER — I am human. I stuff up. I struggle. I’m learning. I’m trying. I care. I am me.
RO: It sounds like you not only support your community, but they in turn support you through your journey. Congratulations on creating a generous, kind and inspiring community. You mentioned your role as Deputy Principal, what do you find most rewarding about working in education?
SW: The fact that teachers are a “chance card” in the life of young people.
It is one of the coolest things to have the opportunity to influence and shape young minds to be kind, to think critically and learn how to be curious about our world.
The way we engage kids in learning can result in a HUGE change in their life and the lives of others: locally or globally.
Every day is a new opportunity to inspire and carry our kids from A to B. It’s a blessing to be able to walk into a classroom and be trusted with that role – and to do it with passion!
RO: You’re a Ronald McDonald House ambassador, tell us a bit more about the work that you do for this wonderful charity.
SW: I am so honoured to be a part of the Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney (RMHC GWS) family. RMHC supports the ever-changing needs of seriously ill kids and their families. They rely on staff and a network of volunteers to run programs and provide care to families in need.
My role as an ambassador has meant raising awareness and funds (I’m sure you’ve seen the Dance for Sick Kids instagram campaign), as well as sharing the programs on offer at RMHC.
My role is to listen, to learn and use my voice to share what we can do to support the families at RMHC. In short, it’s to be an active ambassador and to motivate others to look beyond their world and into that of others, to step up and help out.
The Learning Program is one program I am passionate about. It supports seriously ill children catching up on missed education. From improving numeracy and literacy skills, to identifying learning strengths and weaknesses, the program aims to make the journey back to school as soon as possible, while also providing a much needed confidence boost.
RO: What are the top three 'rules' you choose to live by?
- Listen to learn [and to unlearn].
- Kindness makes waves and moves mountains.*
- Human first. Always
*The simple notion of kindness is inclusive, it doesn’t discriminate, nor does it cost a cent. The little old saying, ‘be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about’, resonates with me. There are nothing but positives that come from injecting a little bit of kindness into your life and the lives of others.
RO: What are your favourite Ruby Olive pieces?
- RO x Brook Gossen 'Plant Joy' Lanyard
- RO x The Teaching Tools 'Fireworks' Lanyard
- RO x Brook Gossen Rainbow Pin (Gold)
Thanks so much for chatting with us Sarah, it has been an absolute pleasure. Find out how you can connect with Sarah, download her resources, and learn more about the Ronald McDonald House programs below!
CONNECT WITH SARAH
Instagram - @giftedandtalentedteacher
Resources - Gifted and Talented Teacher
Ronald McDonald House - @RMHCgws