Belinda has a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and a Bachelor of Arts (International Development and Communication) from Avondale College of Higher Education.
Belinda’s first teaching position was at Gold Coast Adventist School directly after graduating. She then relocated, along with her husband, to Northpine Christian College in northern Brisbane. Belinda has taken time out of the official classroom to raise her children, during which time she taught each one of them Kindergarten and Prep. Belinda managed the Little Learners Playgroup at Northwest Christian School for the past 2 years and also operated as a relief teacher during 2020.
Belinda is married to Joel and they are raising five beautiful children.
Why did you choose teaching as a career?
I grew up in a household with a lot of children around – siblings, younger foster children and day care children. I was fully involved, and even thought of myself as a contributing carer in their little lives - I took great delight in caring for them and helping them reach new milestones.
When it came to choosing a career I had a few ideas, but ended up selecting between psychology or teaching – I went with teaching, as teaching is building little lives and minds, and is a profound opportunity to really make a difference in the community around you. I also studied International Development and Communication, and finished with a willingness to go wherever God needed me. I have taught on the Gold Coast and in North Brisbane and I believe God has opened the door for me in my new teaching role here in Tasmania at NWCS.
Who inspires you and why?
The life of Jesus and the character of God as seen throughout Earth’s history is my ultimate inspiration. God says, “before you were born, I knew you,” (Jeremiah 1:5). Each person is a unique gift, made by God, and special to God.
God’s policy is one of love, every thought he has toward an individual is loving. That is my inspiration.
What is the most rewarding thing about your role?
Seeing children learn and have their interest ignite is so fulfilling, as well as trying and achieving their best.
What are you looking forward to?
It’s always good to have something to look forward to – and I am really looking forward to taking on my role as Kindy Teacher. I love teaching J I also can’t wait to meet the Kindy students and find out their interests, passions and motivation. It’s going to be a fun year!
When you’re not teaching, what do you do in your downtime? Do you have interests or hobbies?
My family is precious to me, I love spending time together with them, I love relaxing on our little farm and doing the farm thing- gardening, goats, cows, rabbits etc. The boys in my household have even gotten me on their motorbikes of late.
I also really love playing my violin – my husband gave me a violin for my birthday not quite 4 years ago, along with all of my family who took it up at a similar time. I’ve been blessed to receive lessons from my friend and inspiration – Sarah Scheermeijer (Thank you for all you do, Sarah!). And I am absolutely taken with violin.
For recreation I love walking through the bush and when the opportunity arises, I love to have a go at surfing (wet suit please!), wake boarding, snowboarding, and mountain biking.
What book are you reading, or what would we find on your podcast list? What do you love to learn about?
I have a bit of a reading wish list – I love information books like, ‘The Periodic Table,’ and ‘The Brain that Changes itself.’ Perhaps I’ll get some time in the holidays???
I like listening to meaningful and inspiring things like David Asscherick, history channels, Mozart (does that count?). I actually really love learning - we are so blessed these days with so much information available to us.
I do have some favourite children's’ picture books- ‘Handa’s surprise,’ ‘The Doll hospital,’ ‘The Gruffalo,’ ‘The Lost Sheep,’ ‘Can God See Me?,’ ‘Baby Bilby.’ There are so many good ones.
I’m also currently enjoying writing children’s picture books.
Limited places are available for 2021 in the Kindergarten Class. For more information on fees and how to apply, visit the Enrolment page on our website.