In the last couple of years, I’ve enjoyed plenty of rich and thought-provoking conversations with Peter Gibson and Mark Lovell. As we’ve talked, I’ve come to admire the considered and careful approach they have taken to developing and shaping our Character and Enterprise program, a course which asks students,

This curriculum has evolved with slow, intentional, and robust rigour. It’s beautifully aligned with Barker’s values—Commitment, Courage, Compassion, Integrity, and Respect.

So, when Peter asked if I’d like to become a Character Mentor at the end of last year, I thought, “Sure! How hard can it be?”

Turns out—it’s hard.

But in true Barker fashion, I decided to test my alignment with Barker’s values by throwing myself into the deep end: teaching not one, but two Year 10 Character & Enterprise classes. What could possibly go wrong?!

In my role as Director of Health & Wellbeing, I have spent plenty of time reading and proclaiming the latest research on how to foster resilience, grit, self-awareness and personal growth by consciously facing discomfort and taking risks.

As Adam Grant writes in his book Hidden Potential,

Now, it was time to walk the talk. Apparently, by stepping into the classroom, I was on track to adapt to adversity, develop a positive mindset, and handle life’s difficulties with grace and confidence!

Hmm… honestly, I was not so sure.

My three sons, all in their early 20s, were keen to give me a quick lesson in current teenage talk—and most importantly, reminded me to never engage in this or try to impress the students with the correct use of the term ‘aura’. That would be, as they say, totally cringe.

Some days, it took every ounce of Courage just to walk into the room. Other days, I leaned heavily on Compassion—mostly for myself. But every moment was a chance to live out the values I’ve admired from the sidelines, and to see those values embodied in the actions, behaviours and attitudes of my students.

And honestly? Without a doubt, it’s been hard—but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

You must bring Commitment and Integrity—your whole self, your A game—and there is no room for apathy, disinterest, or fear. Teenagers can pick up on your attitude in a heartbeat. Some days I would walk out of the class thinking I’d nailed it, and more often I felt like the worst teacher ever. Then a random, “thanks Miss, that was awesome,” would make my day.

Teaching has enabled me to walk in the shoes of the brilliant educators at Barker College with whom I have worked, and whom I’ve admired for many years. I have great Respect for them and for the profession. And it’s given me the privilege of getting to know our funny, smart, kind, and spirited Year 10s.

Over the year, I’ve watched them grow and mature as they’ve explored who they are, where they fit in the world, and how they want to live—with intention, with kindness, with reflection, and with the courage to live a real and whole life. Together. To Look Within and to Go Beyond.

There have been so many mini-moments of growth both for myself and my students. I no longer need to double layer the deodorant before heading into the room, I’m excited to see the students and hear about their week and most surprisingly, they often ask me how I’m going. So much for the selfish inconsiderate teenage trope.

At the end of the year, what do I hope my students have learned from me? That they matter. That their lives are important. And it is my hope that they are beginning to understand they have the power to use their precious lives to make the world a better place for others—the very heart of character.

As Dr Suess put it so brilliantly:

And in walking alongside them, I discovered a little more of my own ‘Youer than You’ as well.