Roller skating Art teacher Mrs Zimmermann found her way to Wesley from the north of England (on a plane, not skates).

PROFESSIONALLY, WHAT WAS YOUR ROUTE TO WESLEY?

I began my teaching adventure in the north of England. There I taught High School students, Contemporary Dance and Visual Art. In 2004, I migrated to Perth for love and chose to call this beautiful country my home. Being a migrant changes your perspective, and for the most part I became much braver in trying new things!

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN AN EDUCATOR?

While teaching at Methodist Ladies College, I was approached with an opportunity to be a company director at SODA (Sculptural Objects & Design Australia) Studios in North Fremantle. There, I hosted international artists and connected them to schools. I devised presentations, spoke at conferences, curated gallery shows, and fulfilled art residencies. No day was ever the same, and this incredible opportunity was a springboard for my own professional art practice as well as for developing my approach to and understanding of Arts education.

WHAT DREW YOU BACK INTO TEACHING?

After five years of Arts education within the community, I returned to teaching in the classroom. I felt it was time I sought out a new challenge, and that was teaching little people art! It has now been five years since I started at Wesley, and I adore being curious and creative with our Junior School students.

WHAT DO YOU WANT STUDENTS TO TAKE AWAY FROM A YEAR IN YOUR CLASS?

I want students to be able to make brave choices, to be super curious about the world around them, to be confident enough to ask a million ‘I wonder’ questions and know that perceived mistakes can be the start of something beautiful.

IS THERE SOMEONE WHO INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A TEACHER?

Being at a comprehensive high school in the north of England was tough, and my teen years were a struggle. Miss Fields was my own Art teacher. She created a safe and inclusive space, where the door was always open. I would regularly show up there to avoid the yard at lunchtime. I felt valued, safe, and heard. These are all things I want my own students to feel in our Wesley Arts space.

WHAT WOULD THE STUDENTS BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOU?

Oh, there are so many surprising things! I can roller skate, I have six pet chickens, and when I was growing up, my parents decided to be a foster family for children at risk. We had thirty-two foster children live with us over a 10-year period, so it certainly was a rather chaotic household!

This article was originally published in the Summer 2024 edition of The Wesleyan. To read more, click here.