ALUMNI PROFILE

Nivrita Shankar

Graduated: 2012

Current Role: Kindergarten Teacher at Cherrybrook Public School.

Did you always aspire to be in the job position you currently hold?

Yes, since I was in Kindy myself I've always wanted to be a teacher. I knew I wanted to go to the University of Sydney and complete my Bachelor of Education (Primary) with Honours.

What have you done since leaving CTHS?

I have completed a Bachelor of Education (Primary) with First Class Honours. I specialised in the subject of Special Needs Education and my thesis was on how the creative arts can offer non academic benefits for students with intellectual disabilities. After I completed my degree, I was targeted by the DET and was offered a permanent position at Cherrybrook Public School. During my uni days, I worked as a tutor and sports coach. I have taught singing and drama & also been a part of an Indigenous Education program called AIME. In the January school holiday break I also travelled to Cambodia to volunteer and teach in a school for two weeks.

Describe your average work day....

My average work day consists of creating and teaching quality lessons, ensuring students needs are catered for, completing supervision duties and doing other behind the scenes work such as paperwork and attending meetings.

Please share some words of wisdom for today's students...

Whether you want to be a doctor, lawyer, plumber, hairdresser or a teacher like me, choose what YOU are passionate about and work hard for it ! I received many comments from others such as "a teacher doesn’t get paid much", "you could be a lawyer or something, why teaching ?" and "teachers don’t need to do much.. they get so many holidays!" .. but I always stuck to my dream of becoming a teacher and making a difference the way I wanted to. Never think of your dream as little or inferior in comparison to anyone else’s.