My professional journey began after graduating with a degree in Science and Education. I initially split my time between the classroom and the lab, working on a promising research project that aimed to develop a new chemical substance to remove petrol from water. While the work was meaningful, something didn’t quite fit. I didn’t feel alive in the lab. I did in the classroom.
From the very beginning of my teaching career, I had a passion for trying new ideas, experimenting with teaching tools, and integrating different strategies to enhance student learning. That desire to explore and go deeper is what eventually led me to postgraduate study, I wanted to understand pedagogy at its core and contribute through research as well.
To be honest, being a teacher is far from easy. It requires emotional resilience, empathy, and a deep understanding of students’ needs, not just academic, but personal and psychological as well. I’ve taught in different countries and across various year levels, and what I’ve learned is this: Teaching isn’t just about content, it’s about understanding your students, meeting their needs, and supporting their learning journeys. They come from different places and carry different experiences, and that matters.
I’ve also worked as an educator with postgraduate students (teachers) helping them explore how to enhance their classrooms and engage their students more deeply. We focused on how different learning strategies and tools can make a real difference in student experience and outcomes. It’s a space I really enjoy, supporting other teachers to reflect, experiment and grow in their own practice.
After completing my Master’s, I moved to Australia to pursue a PhD in Education Technology at UNSW, specialising in online learning. It was during this time that I realised I wanted to take a broader role in shaping learning, beyond the classroom. I transitioned into education design and consultancy to focus on how learning environments are created, not just delivered.
My background as both a teacher, educator and a researcher deeply informs how I work as an education designer. I’m able to understand the needs of students/learners, while also integrating theory with practice. I see learning through both the educator’s and the learner’s lens, which helps me design experiences that are grounded, thoughtful and relevant.
Simply Sara 