If I had a Pink Hammer!
TAFE teacher, award winner and distance learner
‘I never wanted to be a teacher, but look at me now!’
What inspires a TAFE teacher to continue to learn and be a distance learner?
Wollongong TAFE teacher and Charles Sturt University student Fiona Shewring won a Pink Hammer Acoustic Logic Consultancy Award at the National Association of Women in Construction Awards ceremony on the 25 May 2006.
The National Association for Women In Construction (NAWIC) is an organisation which started in America in 1953 and in Australia in 1995. Its objectives are to unite women in the construction industry, promote cooperation, fellowship and understanding, educate and contribute to the betterment of the construction industry and provide awareness of issues relating to the construction industry
‘At the award ceremony all the big construction companies were there and I thought, What am I doing here? I thought I should just go home back to my husband, five kids, the dog and two cats,’ said Fiona. ‘Then when I heard the announcement that I had won the award, I smiled like a Cheshire cat for the rest of the evening!’
Fiona won the award for her outstanding contribution to the painting and decorating trade. As well as being an inspirational model herself, she has helped break down barriers for over 100 women now working in the painting, decorating and signcraft trade areas.
Trained as an artist, Fiona’s introduction to the painting and decorating area came from working in her husband’s business creating designs for murals and special effects using colour. In recognition of her skills, Fiona was then asked to teach the colour unit while she was still studying signcraft at TAFE.
I learn best when I am shown something, and I prefer to learn in a group. This was very different to the way we were taught…
Fiona Shewring
Fiona now teaches in both the Painting and Decorating Department at the Wollongong TAFE Campus, and in Work Opportunities for Women (WOW). WOW is a program targeting women who want to return to the workforce. Fiona said she is inspired by how self esteem dramatically increases for many of these women as a result of their learning new skills. They then go on to re-enter the workforce, often continuing with further study.
Fiona also credits the support and funding for these types of programs as having a major impact on breaking down traditional barriers for women in this trade.
Learning styles and distance learning
Fiona has some interesting things to say about learning and how teaching
inspires her to continue to learn and be a distance learner.
‘Through distance learning and the various learning theories, I see different learning styles and how there’s not just one theory or one way people learn. I think this is really important, so I’m always using a range of different teaching approaches to accommodate my students’ different learning styles. I do and say things in five different ways!’
Fiona says she herself once found learning to be a challenge. ‘At high school my teachers were authoritarian and mean to me. I believe this was because I had a different learning style to most of my classmates. I learn best when I am shown something, and I prefer to learn in a group. This was very different to the way we were taught… I was not a scholar and learning did not come easily to me as a child, but teaching has become my total passion. I love watching my students achieve!’
Fiona’s own learning journey
As Fiona wanted to continue her teaching career, she enrolled in Charles Sturt University Teacher Education course, opting to study in distance education mode. ‘Distance education was not my preferred mode of study, but my sister-in-law studied teacher education by distance, which interested me, and then I also got a lot of support from my colleagues – particularly my TAFE Head Teachers – who continue to give me feedback on my assignments and so much encouragement. So while it is hard work, I can manage my time in this flexible form of study.’
See also
VET PEDAGOGY (Research & Exemplars)
