The Swot Shop teaching team comprises qualified and highly experienced primary and high school teachers who share a passion for teaching and a dedication to student success. With a wealth of knowledge, our teachers are the heart of The Swot Shop, bringing our educational philosophy to life every day.
Meet Azela, Swot Shop Teacher and Selective & OC Coordinator.
What has been your journey with The Swot Shop?
I have been with The Swot Shop since 2011. Through my many years of experience here, I am now assisting in reviewing our Maths, OC and Selective programs, and mentoring new staff. I also coordinate our Selective and OC programs.
What classes do you teach?
My classes can range from Springboard up to Maths Talent A. I mostly teach the higher end of Maths, English and Galileo’s Gang, as well as OC and Selective Exam Preparation.
What is your educational and professional background?
I have my Bachelor of Primary Education from the University of Sydney. With that, I spent a year teaching English overseas in South Korea. Having many years of teaching experience in south-west Sydney, working at The Swot Shop then became my main interest.
What do you enjoy the most about your role with The Swot Shop?
I enjoy the time in the classroom, where the focus is on the students’ learning. As a teacher, I am kept on my toes mentally with inquisitive students.
Which Swot Shop program is your favourite and why?
It has to be the Maths Talent classes. I completed the highest level of maths for my HSC, and at one stage considered being a high school maths teacher. In these classes, I like to show my passion for maths to hopefully change the stereotype of it being a ‘boring’ subject!
How would you characterise the students you teach at The Swot Shop?
The students at The Swot Shop show an enthusiastic passion for learning. With new topics and areas of learning they come across, their willingness to ask more questions and seek more knowledge make them stand out.
Do you have any special stories or anecdotes from your time at The Swot Shop that you would like to share?
Many students have come across our “Happy Cubes” puzzles and found them challenging. It was the same for this group of students who were becoming frustrated with the challenge, until for one student it just ‘clicked’ and they found the solution. The whole class was so supportive of that one student’s effort, and it motivated them to keep trying. It created this domino effect of students finally finding solutions to the puzzles.
It was rewarding to see their moments of accomplishment and how they were able to explain and give tips to other students.
