Five minutes with Mrs Taryn Fisher

From the fast-paced world of media and communications to the vibrant energy of the classroom, Radford College Junior School Teacher, Mrs Taryn Fisher's journey has been shaped by a passion for making a positive impact. With experience in public relations, a background in education campaigns and now an accomplished teaching career, she shares her reflections on her path, her practice and the joys of teaching.

You worked in public relations and communications before becoming a teacher. What inspired you to change careers?

Before teaching, I worked in the media industry in Sydney. It was fast-paced, busy and competitive. I eventually moved into communications at The Butterfly Foundation, where I helped run campaigns and worked closely with the Education Team. Seeing the positive impact their programs had in schools inspired me to make a more direct difference. That’s when I decided to go back to university and study teaching.

You received your Accomplished Teacher accreditation earlier this year. The accreditation invites teachers to reflect on their own practice and the impact they have on students and colleagues. What was your biggest takeaway from this experience?

My biggest takeaway was the value of stopping to reflect on what I do in the classroom and how it impacts students. The process reminded me how important it is to keep growing as a teacher. I looked closely at how I use communication, engagement and differentiation – whether that’s making sure every student can access the learning, finding ways to keep them motivated or working with families and colleagues. It was a good chance to step back and appreciate the difference these everyday practices make.

Having completed your Bachelor of Education recently and reflecting on your own teaching practice, how would you say teaching has changed from when you were a student to today?

The biggest change I’ve noticed in the 9 years since I completed my degree is the role of technology in education. When I was studying to be a teacher, iPads and other digital tools weren’t really part of everyday classroom life. Now, they’re everywhere, and they’ve completely changed the way students learn, collaborate and share their ideas. Technology allows students to be more creative, work more independently and connect with real-world issues in ways that weren’t possible before. It’s exciting to see how these tools can make learning more engaging and accessible for all students.

You are also a parent. What’s it like to teach at the same school as your child?

I feel very lucky that my daughter has just started Kindergarten while I teach Year 6, so our paths don’t cross too often. I think it’s really important for her to have her own independent journey at school and to build her own relationships with teachers and friends, separate from me being a teacher here. At the same time, there are definitely some lovely perks. I enjoy those little incidental conversations with her teachers in the corridor, hearing about her latest writing piece or a funny moment from the playground. I also love the quick glimpses I get of her in the playground or getting a front row seat at the Book Parade. It gives me such a unique perspective to see both sides of school life – as a teacher and as a parent – and I feel very grateful that we get to share the same community in this way.

What’s the best part of your day?

I love my Year 6 class’s morning meetings. Each day, we spend ten minutes checking in together as a class and it really sets the tone for the day ahead. Students share news about their lives, celebrate little milestones and support each other through challenges. It’s also a chance for me to get a sense of how everyone is feeling and what they might need to be successful that day. I find it creates a strong sense of belonging and connection within the classroom, and the students genuinely look forward to it. Those ten minutes are simple but powerful. They build relationships, strengthen our classroom community and create an energising start to our learning.

People might be surprised to know that …

I spent some time living and working in India, where I wrote for a newspaper in Bangalore.