After 30 years, physiotherapist Elizabeth Noordhoek’s has returned to university to become a high school science teacher.
This has been made possible by Curtin University of Technology’s postgraduate diploma in science, which will allow the mother of three to change the direction of her career and make a positive impact on the lives of students.
“I have seen what teachers can do for young people and would like to provide a strong learning experience for high school students,” she said.
Mrs Noordhoek has enjoyed coming back to university and said the postgraduate diploma provided her with the knowledge she needed to teach science in the classroom.
“The work we are doing provides a strong grounding in science that will allow us to properly teach students what they need to know.”
Much of her 30-year career as a physiotherapist has included working with children, including a number with autism. Mrs Noordhoek said this experience, combined with her Curtin education, would provide her with the tools to be a good teacher.
Course coordinator, Dr Yarra Korczynskyj, said students like Mrs Noordhoek were exactly what Curtin wanted for this diploma.
“At the moment there are many teachers with a limited science background who are willing to increase their skills in this area, helping them feel confident in teaching in the area of physical sciences.”, he said.
“This diploma focuses on physics, maths and chemistry and can aid in these aspirations by providing a solid physical science background for non-science secondary teachers or extend their existing knowledge with advanced units of study.
“All of this will result in better science teachers and a better educational experience for students.”
