Collaborating with colleagues is the way Mr Daniel Berry loves to work in his role as Curriculum Coordinator and Year 4 teacher at our Carramar campus!
We are blessed to have Daniel as part of our primary school team for nearly ten years as classroom teacher and Curriculum Coordinator for the last 18 months.
Daniel is originally from Birmingham in central England and comes from a family of teachers.
“My dad was a Head of Science at a Catholic high school and my sister is a primary school teacher, so I have been around teachers a long time,” said Daniel.
It was his own school experiences that led him to a career in teaching, though.
“I was drawn into teaching because, as I grew older, I recognised the significance of my school years in shaping the adult I had become. It troubled me that my school experience had not been a happy one and that I had not really been given the opportunity to truly fulfil my potential. I wanted to make school a positive experience for others, by recognising their unique nature, qualities and talents and providing a safe and nurturing classroom environment.”
So, after graduating from University Daniel worked in the electricity industry in admin roles for a few years before plucking up the courage to apply for teaching, and we are so glad he did!
Today Daniel balances teaching Year 4 with a role working in partnership with the Deputy Head of Curriculum, Years 3 to 6, Mrs Jen Langley.
“I am responsible for supporting staff to ensure we are up to date and compliant with all things curriculum and assessment, said Daniel.”
“Last year this involved a focus in Maths and this year our focus is making sure our staff are up to speed with the latest version of the English curriculum, which has just been rolled out.”
Curriculum is constantly evolving so this is a critical role in our school.
“There are further curriculum changes and developments in other areas in the coming years and it takes a lot of time and energy in terms of making sure our practice, programs and assessments match the mandated curriculum as outlined by the Schools Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA).”
It’s a challenging role, but one Daniel enjoys.
“I love coming alongside other teachers and working collaboratively with them. I also enjoy working with new staff and early career teachers to support and encourage them in their professional practice.”
As well as collaborating on curriculum with other teaching staff, Daniel’s days are very busy with his vibrant Year 4s which provides opportunity for professional growth.
“My greatest challenge as a classroom teacher is meeting the different needs of increasingly unique and diverse groups of students. Our current students are growing up in a very different world to the students I was teaching when I first qualified. Whilst this is a challenge, it also provides the opportunity for growing and developing as a teacher.”
Daniel has also recently completed a Master of Education (Leadership and Management) which kept him very, very busy for the last four years!
“I am definitely looking forward to having a bit more free time this year to try some new things,” said Daniel.
“I am currently involved in my church band, singing backing vocals and I really enjoy serving in this area. I have been fortunate to take part in some of the large carols events our church, True North, hosts around Perth, including Heathridge Carols and Carols in the City.”
Daniel also has two sons who keep him and his wife, Melita, busy.
“Ethan is 13 and Levi is 10 years old and we enjoy walking in nature, going to the beach and visiting new places,” said Daniel.
“We recently returned from six months in the UK where we were able to visit lots of new places. We travelled to Scotland whilst we were there and drove through the highlands up to Loch Ness. It was an amazing experience and one I won’t forget. We also travelled to Paris and journeyed to the top of the Eiffel Tower, which was amazing.”
Daniel, Melita, Ethan and Levi also have two lop-eared rabbits called Benjamin and Kit Kat.