Message from the 2023 President - January 2023
Welcome!
I would like to start this address by acknowledging and paying respect to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of this land. I pay my respects to the Elders past and present. I recognise and pay tribute to the challenges and injustices faced by first people who have been displaced all around the world through colonisation and war. In particular, our local Tasmanian Aboriginal communities.
As we embrace a new year, we also welcome a new MLTAT President. I am excited for the adventures my new role will take us on!
Who am I?
I have worked across Government, Catholic and Independent sectors in Tasmanian schools. Over time, my roles shifted from a volunteer teacher’s assistant to paid literacy support to, for the most part, a Secondary French and English teacher - with some History, Geography, Cooking and Sewing, Work Studies and Pastoral Care thrown into the mix as well.
I completed my teacher training at the University of Tasmania in 2019 with a Masters of Teaching (Secondary English and French specialisations). During my first 3 years of teaching, I also completed a Bachelor of Education with Professional Honours (TESOL Specialisation).
2022 was a busy year for me with two intensive international professional learning opportunities amidst teaching full time. One opportunity was funded by the French Embassy of Australia and the other by the Goddard Sapin-Jaloustre Trust. I am quite humbled to have been selected for both these opportunities. I am looking forward to being able to share insights from these ventures with you all this year. Communication and sharing are actions I value greatly.
Communication is at the heart of our very profession as Languages educators. Communication, alongside critical and creative thinking, is a crucial skill for survival in the 21st century; both for our students and ourselves. The development of skills within Language teaching are often misunderstood by non-Languages teachers and monolingual stakeholders. At my school’s level, my personal goal this year is to educate colleagues and parents on the many benefits of Languages learning and to increase cross-curriculum connections with my French classes.
Past, present, and emerging
I would like to extend a thank you to both Anita Wood for overseeing the role of President in 2021-2022 and Melissa Wickins for stepping into the caretaker president role in 2022. I am fortunate to have been mentored by the duo and am motivated to continue their active advocacy for Languages education in Tasmania.
I also extend gratitude to all the MLTAT Committee:
Branch Presidents Rosemarie Baker, Leigh Cordell and Suzette Holmes; Single Language Associations representatives Doris Xiang, Kayla Lockett (JATNET), Ans van Heyster (Netzwerk and Alliance Française), Scott Ambrose (Pergubit), Hingor Chung (Southern Branch Delegate) Newsletter Editor Kayla Lockett, and UTAS representative Andy Bown.
As a team, we look forward to working together.
We are acutely aware of the ongoing issues faced by Languages educators in all settings. In 2023, we will be working closely with our local teacher education unions and other stakeholders to raise awareness of these challenges and promote change at both campus and state levels.
Stay tuned for more information about Term 1 professional learning.
Bien cordialement,
Kelsey Cooper
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Modern Language Teachers Association of Tasmania Inc.
ABN 21 665 665 717
