Board President - Dina Matheson

Dina Matheson

School / Organisation: Woodville High School 

Current role: Science & Digital Technologies teacher, International Students Program Manager

What inspired you to become a science teacher? While teaching was not my first career choice, once I got into it, I knew I needed to be a Science teacher. I've always had a passion for Science (Biology's the best one), and love that I'm able to share that passion with the next generation. 

How many years have you been teaching? A dozen. 

Why did you join the SASTA Board? To be honest, this was not something I'd ever considered, but when the opportunity presented itself, I thought: "Why not?" I have a chance here to support the science education community in South Australia, and to promote excellence in science teaching. It's been a wonderfully challenging learning adventure, and I look forward to continuing my work as a SASTA Board member.

Are there any other committees / organisations you are involved with? I am also a member of the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) Board.

If you could travel back in time and attend any scientific discovery or experiment in history, which one would it be, and why? You know what? I would just love to go back to my early years in life, and watch myself discover the world and its wonders for the first time. And, because it's me (and because I have no idea how time travel works), I would know what's going on in my head, and therefore know exactly what I was thinking and feeling at the time of those discoveries. How cool would that be? There is such joy in watching someone discover anything for the first time. 

If you were to sum up your teaching philosophy in one sentence, what would it be? Ask all the questions!