A Word From Marion Fitzpatrick
Upon hearing about the Institute for Trade Skills Excellence Trade Teacher of the Year awards I like many others had many thoughts including the fact that I felt I wouldn’t have enough time in our busy schedules these days to put a comprehensive application together for the award. My second thought was did I have sufficient professional achievements which would make me a worthy candidate for the award. It wasn’t long before I made the decision to “give it a go” and at the same time create an opportunity for me to update my professional portfolio and reflect on my career accomplishments and contribution to education particularly in the field of cookery.
Whilst preparing the application and gathering the supporting materials and documentations from colleagues, industry, students and their families I soon became excited at the realisation of the impact my teaching and coaching had on these individuals. This was a very humbling and at the same time very motivational. As the application was bound and packaged for submission I felt very proud of my accomplishments and what I had achieved in my role as a Trade Teacher.
Since winning the award in 2007 I have gained a whole new level of confidence in myself and my career as a Teacher and manager of a rather large team of staff in TAFE NSW – Northern Sydney Institute. I have had an incredibly busy and exciting year as National Trade Teacher of the Year and I have treasured every minute of it. This year I was one of the lucky Australians to be invited to participate in the Prime Minister’s 2020 Summit. Being part of a group of inspirational and highly motivated individuals moulding productivity and education in Australia to the year 2020 and beyond was a great honour and privilege.
As National Trade Teacher of the Year and 2020 summiteers I have also had numerous media appearances from live Radio broadcasts through to news articles and guest appearances at several conferences. More recently I have received an invitation for inclusion in the next edition of “Who’s Who of Australian Women” to be published in March 2009. This letter indicated that my nomination is the result of my outstanding contribution to education in Australia. I don’t consider myself to be an outstanding Australian as there are many more worthy recipients of this recognition but I do consider myself to be a great teacher, motivator and trainer of young aspiring chefs. I will continue to work tirelessly for my students in TAFE NSW and participate in designing and judging competitions at a regional, National and International level of competition with Worldskills Australia.
Prior to winning this award I could never have imagined what opportunities the Institute for Trade Skills Excellence National Trade Teacher of the Year award could have created but I do know I am very appreciative of this incredible opportunity and the journey it has paved for me and I look forward to continuing my career and professional growth as a teacher. Thanks to the award I have continued to develop my professional technical skills and currency through further studies across Australia.
I wish Brian Heim the 2008 National Trades and Skills Teacher of the Year Award winner all the best for the year ahead and I’m sure he will find it as valuable an experience as I have.
Marion Fitzpatrick
