Classrooms and crossings as big career decision rewards new teacher
New teacher Christopher Ransom crossed the stage at CQUniversity Cairns Graduation this week – and the passionate educator is already making an impact in the classroom.
The proud Palawa man from lutruwita (Tasmania) moved to Cairns after completing his psychological science degree and leapt at the opportunity to grow his career locally, with CQU’s Master of Teaching (Secondary).
“I first wanted to become a teacher because I really enjoy helping people better themselves and building a relationship with people and helping them to achieve goals that they might not have thought possible,” he explained.
Taking on the 18-month degree in 2022, he said balancing work and study was a struggle – but quickly paid off.
“I was able to get Permission to Teach approval in my final semester of study thanks to CQU and Woree State High School, so I got paid for some on-the-job learning!” he said.
Mr Ransom continues to teach at Woree and officially graduated on Thursday 18 April at the Cairns Convention Centre - one of 150 locals who celebrated their successful studies.
“One of my highlights since jumping into the classroom would be the relationships I have built with students and seeing them actively cross the street in public to introduce me to their parents,” he said.
“Also, the smiles on faces when they achieve something that they never thought possible.”
Mr Ransom said he hoped his achievements would help inspire a new generation of learners – and teachers.
“I have learnt so much in my teaching studies, and I’m really passionate about unit planning and how to structure learning for students so they can best succeed,” he said.
“Whether it is differentiation or how you scaffold support around the student, just having different avenues to the same goal for the young people in the classroom is so important to me.
“Next in my career, I hope to just settle into teaching and keep learning as much as I can.
“In the future I would love to go into leadership roles within schools and help teachers the way I have been helped by the leaders within my current work environment.”
Mr Ransom was one of six First Nations graduates in the graduating cohort, at the first CQU grad for 2024.
The ceremony also honoured Jenuarrie Warrie, a proud Koinjmal Woman from the eastern coastal plains of Central Queensland and Cairns resident for more than four decades, with an Honorary Doctorate recognising her First Nations leadership and art practice.
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