Dr Carolyn Moores
Townsville Grammar School
Science is a field where women are traditionally not dominant; however, Dr Carolyn Moores is hoping to change that.
Her passion for science, and in particular physics, has led her to managing senior and junior science curriculums at Townsville Grammar School, and to being influential in the development of the science curriculum statewide. It is that passion that led Dr Moores to a career in teaching. “I always had an interest in maths and science and I also had an interest in portraying some of that information and giving back to the community,” Dr Moores says. |
“I wanted to do something to help other people to understand maths and science.” |
In her quest to give back to the community, Carolyn currently sits on the Queensland Studies Authority District Panel for Physics. She was also a State Panellist in that field.
Her work was recognised by the Queensland Studies Assessment Authority in selecting Dr Moores as a member of the Physics Curriculum and Assesment Working Group. However, her greatest passion is to be a role model for girls who want to pursue a career in the field of science. “There’s no greater way of doing that than actually being female yourself, and portraying your energy and enthusiasm to the students,” Dr Moores says. “One of the greatest hurdles for girls in science education is their lack of confidence. They don’t really have a lot of it and they don’t believe they can do a lot of the things that male students can do,” she says. “That’s one of the things that I also try to work with (female) students…and building that confidence.” She takes pride in the students she has taught who have gone on to start careers in science. One particular student Carolyn has taught left an impression, after exhibiting potential in maths and science. Like other girls studying sciences, she was not confident in her skills. “She didn’t know what to do, so over two years we got her to a level that she was confident in,” Dr Moores says. “It got to the point where she was able to apply for scholarships…and went on to study Engineering.” Her interest in driving the best in people also extends to beginning teachers who start their careers at Townsville Grammar School. Carolyn says she’s happy to take them on board and be a mentor to those new teachers. She has led workshops to help beginning teachers improve their skills, and encouraged them to adopt the learning philosophy of The Art and Science of Teaching. “Over the past few years, I have had four or five (beginning teachers) every year that I’ve mentored,” Dr Moores says. “Some of them have moved on to further their careers elsewhere.” Her mentorees are now moving to other places, both domestically and overseas. Dr Moores feels supported by staff, who are enthusiastic when she requests assistance or support with the science curriculum at Townsville Grammar School. The number of science students have dramatically increased over the time she has been at the school. “We now have 92 per cent of our students taking a science subject in senior,” she says. She is reassured by the results of her work, especially with more girls taking up science subjects. Principal Richard Fairley says Carolyn is an outstanding teacher. “She is much loved and respected by her colleagues and very highly regarded by students and the parent community,” Mr Fairley says. Congratulations Carolyn on being a finalist. Written by Mark Zita |