Meet Foundation Studies teacher Monique Dalgleish

Name

Dr Monique Dalgleish

What classes do you teach?

Drama for the January Comprehensive and February Standard intakes.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at Trinity College?

I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work with such engaged and motivated young people as a Drama teacher.

Drama at Trinity’s Pathways School focuses on building communication and collaboration skills. I am inspired by the opportunity to work with my classes, helping students to develop the skill and confidence to express their thoughts and feelings more freely and to enable them to explore possibilities for different ways of being, in a safe environment where they feel supported and heard.

I love the challenge of building the recognion of such environments in students, and the ability to work together in classes to create them. 

Has there been a pivotal moment in your life?

Moving to Chile for four years and then Venezuela for almost two years with my husband and young children in the late ‘90s and early 2000s was the most amazing and wonderful experience.

Although there were many challenges, I became more fluent in Spanish and my two girls settled into new schools and friendship groups. The rewards were abundant. We had so many fantastic adventures exploring the countryside, met so many fascinating people and made great friendships, which I still treasure today.

I learned so much about myself and the world outside Australia but also found that the experience enriched my understanding of life at home.

What do you wish you could go back and tell your 18-year-old self?

Be brave, speak up for what you believe in and know that you have potential that is worth exploring, even if your direction and value isn’t clear to you yet.

Don’t be overshadowed by the cynicism of others and hold on to your right to be optimistic and value your tendency to see the good more than you see the bad.

What advice would you give to a student who is thinking about studying Foundation Studies at Trinity?

Do it. This program has breadth and will encourage you to explore your possibilities and thrive in many ways. Our teachers enjoy relating with students and seeing them develop and grow. We care about who you are now and seek to nurture your explorations of possibilities for the person you wish to become.    

What would make the world a better place?

For everyone to do the things that energise them and make them feel brave and free, while taking care that they are not limiting such qualities in the lives of others.