Life beyond Radford
Nadia Sullivan ( Trewin )
- Bachelor Degree, University of Canberra, Early Childhood Education, 1994-1997
- Teacher, Radford College, 2016-2017
- Teacher, Canberra Grammar School, 2001-2013
What does life look for you now?
I live in Canberra and I am married and I have two beautiful children - Soraya and Cody who are lucky enough to attend Radford College in the Junior School. I taught for a long time at Canberra Grammar School and have recently started teaching at Radford. I enjoy travelling and spending time with family. I enjoy spending time with my children watching them follow their passions. My son loves drawing and doing craft and my daughter is a ballerina. I love watching them grow and develop and sharing their journeys with them.
Tell us what you are passionate about?
I am passionate about family. It is very important to me. I also love teaching in Early Childhood. It is something I love to do and get so much satisfaction from. I love to travel and I have been fortunate to travel to a lot of amazing places in my life. I also enjoy walking my dog and bushwalking.
When you were young, what were you hoping to be when you grew up?
When I was young I wanted to be a vet or a teacher. I knew from very little I wanted to teach. I used to set up a school and friends in the street were the class. As I got older I knew that Early Childhood teaching was what I wanted to do. I am so fortunate that I have been able to follow this dream and it is something that I love.
What is your favourite Radford moment?
My favourite Radford moment was a trip to Queensland with the band . I was able to sing and to play music which is something I really enjoyed. I was lucky enough to spend this fun trip some friends and my younger sister.
Do you have a particular role model or inspirational figure from Radford or now?
Some of my peers at Radford were very inspirational. They were good role models and they always believed in me and helped me through some difficult times. I am still friends with some of them.
How easy was it to decide what to do in life?
I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to teach in Early Childhood. When I was able to do some practical placements in schools I knew that it was the right fit for me.
Did your further study or career go exactly as you'd planned?
Initially I didn't get into University as was planned. The year I applied for teaching the score was higher and they took more mature aged students. So I needed to find a plan B. I went to TAFE and did Childcare and put that towards my University studies. During that time I was also able to work and travel.
What do you know now, that you wish you'd known when you were at Radford?
I didn't appreciate at the time what a fantastic school I attended. There were people that wanted to learn and really cared about me. I wish I hadn't worried so much about the future and had enjoyed the moment more. Also, if there is something that you really want to achieve keep trying until you get there you may just to do that in a different way to what you had planned.
What advice do you have for current students?
Make the most of all the opportunities and experiences you can while you are at school. Travel and have fun and work out what you really want to do. It is a small part of your life and enjoy it while you are there.
Anything else that you would like to share?
I am lucky enough to have been a student and a parent at Radford and now I able to teach and give back to the school.
