AISNSW is dedicated to celebrating the incredible teachers who work in Independent schools across the state. This term we're highlighting Chloe Friedlander, Mariam Sayadi and Kathryn Staples.
Chloe Friedlander – The Scots Preparatory School
“We need to teach kindness to children, just as much as we teach literacy and numeracy,” states Chloe Friedlander, a Kindergarten teacher from The Scots College Preparatory School. Being in Chloe’s class is almost like being in a class taught by Roald Dahl’s Miss Honey; it is truly remarkable to observe her compassion and talent, especially considering she is only in her fourth year of teaching. Her innovative approach, like her (original) catchy song about "How to hold scissors," exemplifies her commitment to making learning both engaging and memorable. This love of the creative arts and music permeates her classroom, fostering a vibrant and dynamic environment. In 2022, her class’s "Gouldian Finch Flock" artwork won first place in the Australian Conservation Foundation’s Wild At Art competition's ‘best groupwork’ category, a testament to her ability to cultivate collaborative skills.
Friedlander’s passion extends beyond the classroom. The Glengarry Pen Pal program, where her Kindergarten students correspond with Year 9 students, has significantly strengthened the younger boys’ writing skills and forged invaluable relationships between different age groups at Scots. Her background in Performing Arts and Music, including a Bachelor of Music, provides a rich foundation for her teaching. She seamlessly integrates her love for dance, theatre, piano, and guitar into her daily lessons, creating a truly immersive learning experience.
Chloe believes in the power of listening to her students, recognising their inherent knowledge and valuing their voices. Friedlander strives to find something to love about each child, creating a nurturing and supportive environment. She approaches her profession with humility, acknowledging that she learns as much, if not more, from her students as they learn from her. One of her favourite books to read with her class is The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be by Joanna Gaines, because of its messaging around learning: "Some of us are teachers and share what we know. But all of us are learners. Together is how we grow!" Inspired by her grandmother, a passionate Kindergarten teacher, and driven by a desire to find a job where “she didn’t sit down”, Chloe has found her calling away from the bright lights of the theatre.
Mariam Sayadi – Unity College
Mariam Sayadi, Head of Teaching and Learning K-6 at Unity Grammar, is a driving force behind the school’s commitment to student success. For several years, Mariam has quietly and effectively championed initiatives that have significantly impacted both students and teachers, particularly in the crucial early years.
Collaborating closely with her colleagues, Mariam has spearheaded a shift towards a more holistic approach to literacy, seamlessly integrating the Science of Reading with the demands of the new syllabuses. Recognising the importance of a strong foundation, she focused her efforts on Kindergarten to Year 2, embedding phonics and spelling while making vocabulary and fluency teaching more explicit. This work has been instrumental in helping students develop essential literacy skills. Mariam’s approach is collaborative, and data driven. She does not just present new ideas; she empowers teachers to understand and implement them. By working alongside her colleagues, deconstructing texts and teaching methods, and analysing data together, she fosters a sense of shared ownership and encourages targeted teaching. Her support has been invaluable in helping teachers see the direct impact of their work.
Beyond her expertise, Mariam possesses a genuine care for all stakeholders. She approaches her work with a smile and a deep commitment to doing her best. Her passion for education stems from a lifelong love of learning and a belief in the power of teachers to shape young lives. As she jokingly reminds her colleagues, "You never know, they might be the boss one day!" This grounded perspective, combined with her humility and adaptability, makes Mariam an exceptional educator.
Kathryn Staples – Ngaruki Gulgul Central School
Many teachers talk of an inspirational teacher who influenced their decision to join the profession. This was the case for Kathryn Staples (Kat), inspired by her own formative academic experiences with Miss Chapman. Kat was drawn to teaching to support a new generation of learners who also felt challenged during their time at school. For her, it is the light bulb moments, the times when a student gets the concept, understands the content enough to feel confident about sharing their understanding with others, which make each day in the classroom worthwhile.
For Andrea Cingi, Principal at Ngaruki Gulgul Central School (NGCS), it is Kat’s capacity to form authentic, personal connections with her students, create strong links to their families, and her organised and positive approach to collaborating with her colleagues that establishes Kat as an inspiring young educator.
Kat’s role at NGCS is the epitome of her flexible, adaptive approach to teaching. Teaching Mathematics and Geography to students from Stages 5 and 6 demonstrated her adaptive approach to teaching out-of-field content. Originally trained as an English/History teacher, Kat has embraced the skills and knowledge of her peers, reaching out to them for support and guidance. She passionately believes that no one should be afraid to ask for help when they require it, a trait she endeavours to instil in her students. Kat’s collegial approach and palpable energy for taking on new challenges for herself and supporting her students as they themselves embrace new academic challenges are key to her success with her students according to Andrea.
Kat revels in the NGCS environment because it allows all staff to be their authentic selves as teachers and learners, modelling learning as an enjoyable challenge. Her hope for her students is that when they finish their Secondary education, they feel more prepared for life after school. Agreeing with this, Andrea emphasised that Kat and her colleagues at NGCS position their students to move more confidently forward into a more purposeful future that is one of their choosing, and that is the greatest gift a teacher can give to any student.
