By NICOLE VALICEK
TEACHING is a tough gig at the best of times but for Rod Sheehan the joy he gets from seeing his students succeed makes the job easy.
Mr Sheehan teaches the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) subject at MacKillop College in Werribee.
The passionate teacher was recently recognised as a recipient of the National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) and the Australian Scholarships Group (ASG), NEiTA 2012 ASG Inspirational Teaching Award.
Mr Sheehan accepted the award along with 60 teachers from across Australia and although humble for the recognition he is happier that the VCAL subject gets another opportunity to shine.
“We do what we do anyway but to be recognised for it is great not only for me but it puts VCAL on the stage again in a positive light which I think the program deserves.
Mr Sheehan has made a significant contribution to VCAL over his six year teaching career.
“I don’t think everyone is suited to the normal traditional mainstream schooling, it gives those students the opportunity to remain at school and engage at school and it gives them more employment opportunities when they leave,” Mr Sheehan said.
Mr Sheehan said he sees the positive outcomes for students who take a VCAL class and so he has made it his prerogative to see it grow stronger into the future.
He has revised and redesigned the school’s VCAL programs in work-related skills, personal development and literacy skills.
Mr Sheehan has also developed a ground-breaking integrated program that for the first time links the VCAL to the World Challenge program, which assists school students to go on overseas expeditions.
He said his greatest achievement was watching a group of previously disengaged students work together to coordinate a student-led 28 day expedition around Borneo.
