Feature the Teacher is all about recognising the amazing efforts Wagga teachers are contributing everyday to the growth and development of students.
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This week we’re showcasing Mr Gavin Lihou, the grade 5 teacher at Mount Austin Public School.
Name: Gavin Lihou
School: Mount Austin Public School
Grades and subjects taught: Primary school teacher for Grade 5s.
1. Why did you become a teacher?
I was unsure what to do when I first left school. I worked as a clerk for a few years and one day my mum said to me that she thought I would make a great teacher, so I went to university and never looked back. I thank her every day for her advice.
2. What’s the best or worst excuse a student has ever given for not doing their homework?
I ate it!
3. What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in the classroom?
I don’t get embarrassed, I am a lunatic!
4. What do you love most about your job?
Working with children is awesome! They are the funniest, most honest, resilient and compassionate people on the planet. We have so much to learn from them.
5. What’s the funniest question a student has ever asked you?
A kindergarten student asked me one day, “Mr.Lihou, why are your ears so small when your head is so fat?”
6. How has technology transformed the roles of the teacher?
Everything is at your fingertips. If you want to teach a song, the karaoke version is there. If you need a worksheet on angles, it’s there.
We can take a virtual tour of places we could never visit on excursion … and ‘Smartboards’ make us all write like we are in kindergarten.
7. Who’s harder to keep in line – parents or children?
Neither. Parents are a teachers’ greatest asset and a good relationship with them enables the child to achieve their best. It is all about positive relationships.
8. What’s your secret to controlling an unruly class?
Laughter is the best medicine. Or a bag of Minties because they are so chewy the students find it difficult to talk.
9. What’s the one subject you would never want to teach?
Unfortunately/fortunately, I have to teach them all!
If you have a stand-out teacher that you think would be great to interview and feature, please email: jessica.whitty@fairfaxmedia.com.au
