Each month, we find out more about a nominated staff member. 

SPOTLIGHT ON … ALEXANDRA (ALEX) LEVY

What is your role at Emanuel School?
I am an Early Childhood teacher at Kornmehl and the educational Leader at the Pre-school.

I teach the Dolphin group at the Pre-school. As the Educational Leader, I work closely with Terry Aizen, the Director. Some of my responsibilities include: collaborating with educators and providing curriculum direction and guidance, supporting educators to effectively implement the cycle of planning to enhance programs and practices, and leading the development and implementation of an effective educational program in the service.

What roles have you held before that you enjoyed/ led you to this point?
Since beginning my teaching career in 1988, I have taught in a in a Jewish day school in my native city of Buenos Aires, Argentina (where I come from), then at the House at Pooh Corner at the University of New South Wales and then came to Kornmehl Pre-school at Emanuel.

Other roles I held since I graduated include: being an ad-honorem professor’s assistant at the Teaching Institute in Buenos Aires, a madricha in a Jewish club and organising children’s birthday parties.

What inspired you to become a teacher?
Becoming a teacher has always been my dream. I still remember the endless hours playing ‘teachers’ when I was a little kid, lining up all my dolls and drawing on a small blackboard.

One of my biggest inspirations has been knowing that as a teacher, I can make a difference in the life of a child and that I can help make their childhood playful and wondrous and a little bit magical.

Is there a lesson/s that a student taught you in the past you feel you have carried forward/ currently apply in your teaching or everyday life?
I can honestly say that I have learnt many lessons with the children and from the children. And when I say children, I’m referring to three-, four- and five-year-olds! 

The biggest lesson that I carry forward and apply not only to my teaching, but also my personal life, has been to persevere when things don’t come easy. I have witnessed some children working so hard at gaining a skill, trying over and over for days and weeks, and not giving up even when things became really challenging. 

Do you have a favourite memory from teaching?
I have lots of favourite memories from teaching…but if I had to choose one, I would probably say the smile on the children’s faces when they proudly achieve that skill they had been working so hard to attain.

What are your impressions of Emanuel School?
I absolutely LOVE Emanuel School and I know I can be a bit biased when I talk about the School… I love the School as a parent, an educator and a community member. The warmth, inclusiveness, collegiality, and the driving goal to instil a love of learning and curiosity in children are some of the things I love the most at Emanuel.

Bushwalking with her partner

What do you do to unwind/ what do you enjoy doing outside school hours?
Some of the things I enjoy doing outside school hours are going for coastal walks with my partner, going to the gym, meeting a friend for coffee and getting together with friends and family on the weekend.

One of my biggest passions is playing beach volleyball at my local beach.

I love to travel to visit my family in Buenos Aires, Puerto Rico and Israel.

I also enjoy going camping in Mystery Bay over the long holidays.

What song do you know all the lyrics to?
Greatest love of all by Whitney Houston.

What do you wish you could tell your 12- year -old self?
To my 12- year-old self, I would say:  trust yourself, always ‘give things a go” and take more risks…

If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?
It is never too late to try something new, believe in yourself. It may look too hard and overwhelming at first, but with effort and perseverance, almost everything is possible!

Alex with her family