If you’ve spent any time at the Carramar campus, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Mr Joshua Plummer. Now in his 14th year at St Stephen’s School, Mr Plummer still insists it only feels like yesterday that he started. Time flies when you’re navigating the complexities of History, Politics, Law, and Social Sciences, or as the cool kids call it — HASS.
Mr Plummer’s passion for HASS stems from a deep belief in its relevance to the modern world. “In an increasingly technological time,” he explains, “having knowledge to overcome disinformation remains critical.” Whether he’s teaching constitutional law or exploring the lasting impact of historical events, Mr Plummer is on a mission to help students understand the world as it is, and more importantly, how it could be.
When asked where in the world he’d take his class for one unforgettable lesson, Mr Plummer doesn’t hesitate. “Either Auschwitz or Hiroshima,” he says. “So students could see firsthand evidence of the threats humanity has faced in the past, which will help them understand the future.” Powerful words from a teacher who believes in the value of seeing history with your own eyes and not just reading it in a textbook.
It’s the simple classroom moments that remind Mr Plummer why he loves teaching. “Pretty much every time a student asks a follow-up question,” he says. “It shows they’re engaged and thinking independently.” For Mr Plummer, that curiosity is a sign that students are not just learning content, they’re thinking critically about the world around them.
His humour and wit extend to his reading list, which includes Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, a satirical novel that explores the contradictions and absurdities of war through the eyes of a disillusioned World War II bombardier. It’s a fitting favourite for a teacher who values critical thinking and nuanced perspectives, and who encourages his students to question the world around them, even when the answers don’t come easy.
Whether it’s sparking curiosity, challenging assumptions or dropping sage historical advice such as “never invade Russia in the winter”, Joshua Plummer is a teacher who makes HASS unforgettable. And for students lucky enough to be in his classroom, every lesson is a masterclass in how knowledge, empathy and a good sense of humour can shape the world.