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39 Queen Margaret Calling :: ISSUE 62 :: October 2018 Alex Qi Maths Teacher Alex Qi joined the Maths Department in Term 3 from Henderson High School in Auckland. He says he had known from kindergarten that he would be a teacher. “I was babysat by my grandma who was a unique and influential teacher back then. “She was my guardian angel, a very good listener, a loyal friend and definitely a career role model who led and guided me along my teaching journey.” Alex eventually decided to become a high school Maths teacher during his second year of university at Troy University in Alabama, USA. He went on to do a Teaching Certificate at the University of Auckland. “I had been doing well in tutoring maths and science for years and found myself really enjoying working with peers and young people,” Alex says. One of Alex’s future goals for his students at Queen Margaret College is to get them entering Maths competitions internationally. He says one of his favourite things about being a teacher is the “aha”moment when students understand what they are learning. “It feels like I have successfully cast a magic spell. It is amazing when students show an understanding and appreciation for their learning.” Vanessa Gray joined Queen Margaret College as our new HOD Science in Term 2. Vanessa previously taught at St Patrick’s College Wellington, where she had worked since 2016. She has also taught at Kaiapoi High School in Christchurch and at Wanganui Collegiate School. She says she did not decide to be a teacher until she had been in the workforce for a while. “I decided I wanted to be a Science teacher because I really enjoyed teaching others and I could put the knowledge I gained frommy degree to good use.” Vanessa went to Massey University and studied for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Health. She later completed a Masters in Educational Leadership. “I love teaching Science because there are so many fascinating ideas and interesting concepts that students can learn about; from growing plants to flying rockets to learning about our own genetics,” Vanessa says. “It never gets boring and it gives students an opportunity to be curious about themselves and the environment they live in and how these two connect together.” Her goal for her students this year is to be curious. “I would like students to learn to question the ever changing world around them through Science,” Vanessa says. Vanessa Gray HOD Science OUR COMMUNITY OUR STAFF