Welcome to the Bridge Building Podcast: From Technology to the Trades! In this episode, host Stephen Anderson interviews Zoe Keidge, an inspiring designer-turned-teacher and the recipient of the 2024 Queensland Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Fellowship. Tune in as Zoe shares her journey from design into teaching and her passion for expanding the design industry in new and innovative ways.
Episode Overview:
In this episode of the Bridge Building Podcast, host Stephen Anderson is joined by Hamish Cranitch, an inspiring young teacher whose journey is a testament to resilience and passion in the teaching profession. Hamish, new to teaching design and navigating the challenges of a workshop environment, shares his experiences as he transitions from a different subject area and learns the ropes of hands-on, technical instruction.
Hamish is fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive network of experienced teachers who are eager to help him succeed. But as Stephen highlights, this level of mentorship isn’t available to every new teacher. Together, they discuss the importance of proper guidance, the value of upskilling in the trades, and the responsibilities that come with teaching in workshop spaces that demand care and confidence.
Tune in to hear an authentic conversation about the challenges and rewards of being a beginning teacher, especially in technical education. This episode is both a success story in the making and a reminder of the powerful impact seasoned mentors can have on fresh educators.
Key Takeaways:
- The importance of mentorship and support for beginning teachers.
- Navigating the challenges of teaching in high-risk workshop environments.
- Hamish’s journey from a different subject area into technical education.
- How experienced teachers can help bridge the gap for new educators.
Whether you’re a seasoned teacher, a new educator, or simply interested in the evolving landscape of technical education, this episode is sure to resonate. Listen in, and let’s build bridges for the next generation of teachers.
About the Bridge Building Podcast
“This is the place where we dissect and then discover the many ways ITD teachers all over this country are using their passion to create passionate students. We talk of measuring and manipulating a multitude of materials of design and divergent thought, of creation with our minds and with our hands. And most of all, we talk of growing great young people because of course that is what we do.”
So what does that mean other than I like to show off my alliteration skills? Since coming back to teaching a few years ago the thing that strikes me most, and frankly scared me most is how lonely this job is. How little we know about what is happening in our subject area. The classroom next door, a class in the next school, let alone the next town are a mystery to me. I know there are teachers out there doing incredible things and this (the podcast) is a way for me to find out and be inspired. I would like to invite you along to listen and learn, to be inspired by some of the sensational teachers I speak to on the “Bridge Building Podcast – from technology to the trades”
About the Podcast Host
Stephen Anderson is a Design Technology, Trade Training and accidental Science teacher at a small high school 2 hours North West of Brisbane.
Over To You
If you know someone who is doing something spectacular or just great fun in design and tech or in trade training, I would love to know about them.
Contact me through my email osaerial@gmail.com
Music by:
Viola Pink
My favourite busker from the Nanango markets.