In profile: Bec Shea

Bec Shea, Year 3 Classroom Teacher

What do you like best about your current role?

Every day is different! I love the culture in the Junior School where students turn up every day with an eagerness and willingness to learn and do their best. I am constantly being challenged in my role and ultimately as a teacher (particularly right now with our lockdown)! I feel so grateful to work with some inspiring educators and always feel like I’m learning from the people around me. The ultimate thing I love is when I see a student wave to me across the playground with a big smile and remind me of something from the time I taught them – that’s when you know it’s all worth it!

Can you tell us about your role and current projects?

I work in Year 3 which is a busy and amazing space in the College. We are an intake year, so we have lots of new faces at the beginning of each year. I am also a member of the JS Wellbeing Team and am currently working on a Positive Psychology Practitioner certificate.

What did you do before joining the Radford community?

I grew up in Harden, in country NSW, and then went to boarding school at St Vincent’s College in Sydney’s Potts Point from Year 9. I aspired to be a journalist when I left school, then ended up taking two gap years and travelling around Europe and working various jobs. I moved to Canberra and studied teaching at ACU. I then worked at Holy Trinity, Curtin, which was a fantastic start to my career – and now I’m here!

What do you enjoy outside Radford?

Being active (running, bike riding, gym, swimming), horse racing, sport, spending time with friends and family, reading, podcasts … (I also am really enjoying that both football teams I support are a chance in the grand final – Knights and Demons!)

How are you managing lockdown?

I have found it important to try and find the positives in each day, keep a routine and tick off some short-term goals. The weather has been beautiful, and it’s been so nice to get some Vitamin D. Watching the Paralympics has been incredibly inspirational. I’ve also been able to work on my physio and recovery from my hip surgery, managing to read a chapter of a book today and listening to a few great podcasts!