Teacher Profile
At SEDA College our teachers are vehicles of change. They are experts in their fields, helping students to develop their individual passions and achieve outstanding success. Throughout the year we will be sitting down with our teaching staff and discovering what it’s like being an educator at SEDA College.
Get to know Kat Smith
As an educator, Kat has been involved with SEDA since 2010, holding numerous teaching positions within the Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City High Performance Programs as well as Sport Development Program.
Away from SEDA, Kat is currently a Performance Analyst for the Junior Matilda’s and holds a AFC/FFA Pro Licence. In addition to this, she has been an Assistant Coach for the Melbourne Victory in the Westfield W League. In 2018 she was also named Female Coach of the Year at the Rebel Female Football Week National Awards.
Hear from Kat below.
Venue / Class and number of years you’ve been teaching at SEDA?
Currently running the Melbourne Victory High Performance Program – I’ve been at SEDA 10 years to date. 2020 will be my 11th year at the College.
What originally drove you to apply for a job at SEDA College?
At the time I was working for Football Victoria. I had completed a Human Movement degree and Dip Ed (Secondary) and was keen to get into the Education space to combine my passion for football with helping people be the best version of themselves.
Why do you think the SEDA model works for so many students?
The environment created at the College provides a genuine sense of belonging and connectedness. This is really developed by the individual approach to each student and family. This coupled with the College’s unique ability to provide students with a wide range of ‘real world’ experiences. Students are exposed to so many opportunities to step outside their comfort zones often resulting in growth, confidence & independence (among others). A pretty awesome gateway to the future!
What makes teaching at SEDA unique?
For me, it’s the genuine connections you make with people. Whether that is the with the students, parents, guardians, colleagues, industry specialists etc. We all collaborate to give back to a common purpose; providing young people with positive experiences to enable academic/sport and life success.
What’s the most rewarding thing about being a SEDA teacher?
That every day, I have an opportunity to do something that matters; matters to me, and matter to others. To positively contribute to someone’s journey during their formative years can prove to be life-changing; for them, and me.
How is SEDA College adjusting to an online curriculum and what’s it been like having your students working from home rather than face-to-face delivery?
As teaching staff, we’ve had the experience of developing our own curriculum to be engaging and relatable for our students. With what is already common practice for us at SEDA College, we’ve adjusted to the challenges and come up with creative ways to continue what we do. With our IT and online platforms already in place, very little has changed in the way we provide material, resources or communication.
Given our pre-existing strong relationships with parents and students, I believe this is the main pillar for students to continue their education remotely, with the certainty needed during these times, that they will be support and guided throughout.
As a teacher, what do you like most about the ‘1 teacher to 1 class model’?
To be able to show compassion or encourage and influence better choices or behaviours when called upon; by knowing the ‘person’ behind the ‘student’, we can be united in the face of challenges and celebrate in moments of success with each individual.
Have there been any experiences or events that have been a stand out for you during your time at SEDA?
For me personally, the opportunity to spend a week on the Tiwi Islands in partnership with the Red Dust Organisation working with Indigenous communities was an unforgettable experience.
Without doubt, every year when students support children and young people with additional needs whether that be in an educational or sport & recreation capacity (clinics), the overwhelming sense of gratitude, growth, insight, and new ways of thinking is always memorable.
If you would like to find out more about our High Performance Programs, visit our Events Page and register for our High Performance Virtual Information Session.
