The Inclusion Connection: A Candid Chat with Earnshaw College's Mrs. Speedy

Have you ever wondered what motivates teachers to dedicate their careers to education? This enlightening conversation with Mrs. Speedy, Head of Inclusion at Earnshaw College, offers a rare glimpse into the heart and mind of an educator who's passionate about creating positive school experiences for all students.

What makes this episode particularly special is the dynamic between our hosts and guest. Young student Arie, initially hesitant to participate, blossoms into a confident interviewer alongside our regular host, demonstrating the transformative power of supportive educational relationships. Mrs. Speedy shares her journey from childhood games of "school" with dolls as students to becoming a PE teacher, working overseas, taking a break from education entirely, and eventually finding her calling as an inclusion specialist.

The conversation reveals Mrs. Speedy's educational philosophy – one that prioritises holistic development over mere academic achievement. "I'm not there to make sure they get A's and go to University," she explains, "but I want them to have a healthy memory of what school was like and be that person that can buffer the storms with them." Her candid insights about the challenges of inclusion work, balanced with the joy she finds in the variety of her role where "no day is the same," paint a nuanced picture of modern education.

Between discussions of serious educational topics, we're treated to delightful personal revelations through rapid-fire favourite questions. From her love of coffee and pepperoni pizza to her unexpected favourite animal (meerkats!), these moments humanise Mrs. Speedy and demonstrate the authentic connections possible between educators and students. Listen now to experience a conversation that might just change how you think about teachers and their impact on young lives. What teacher do you still remember from your school days?

Transcript

Speaker 2 0:18

Welcome to an edition of GTO Unspoken Connect Beyond the Plan, and we're here on behalf of EngageU. Now, we've got an amazing setup here. Ari, I'm at school here at Earnshaw College. We've got a special guest. Who have we got here? Who are we interviewing today? Miss Speedy. Now, who's Miss Speedy? Who's she?

Speaker 1 0:38

I don't know.

Speaker 2 0:39

Is she one of your teachers? Yeah, does she look after you? Yeah, does she look after you? Yeah.

Speaker 1 0:42

Yeah, ever since.

Speaker 2 0:43

I've been here. She looks after you very well. Now, look, we've got a lot of questions to ask her, so are you ready to go? Should we ask her some questions? Oh sorry, miss Speedy, how are you?

Speaker 3 0:49

I'm well, she is here, we better ask that she's here.

Speaker 2 0:52

All right. Is Miss Speedy nervous about these questions? I am a little bit. Yes, Ari, have we shown her the questions yet? No, they're all surprised, aren't they All right? So Ari and I are going to take turns about asking Miss B some questions. All right, so are you ready, Miss B? Here we go, because Ari's going to ask the first one.

Speaker 1 1:09

How are you feeling out of?

Speaker 3 1:10

five. How am I feeling out of five, I'd say today, I'm feeling a five.

Speaker 2 1:15

That's pretty good, isn't it? Yeah, ari, I'm going to ask you how you feel out of five today.

Speaker 1 1:20

Five.

Speaker 2 1:20

Five, you're five. Oh, when I saw you this morning, you didn't look like you were a bit tired, but you're a five now. Yeah, you're very excited to ask these questions. I'm going to ask Miss Speedy a question. Miss Speedy, what's something today that you're really grateful for?

Speaker 3 1:32

I am grateful for being healthy because I've got two children at home with the flu, so I'm grateful that I'm well and I'm at work and I'm not sick in bed at work and I'm not sick in bed.

Speaker 2 1:42

That's a good one that's good, all right, here we go. Ari, here's a tough question you're going to ask me.

Speaker 1 1:47

Where did?

Speaker 3 1:48

you live.

Speaker 2 1:52

Where do I live now, like whereabouts, are you in Brisbane or are you on the Gold Coast?

Speaker 3 1:56

Yeah, so I grew up in Brisbane over near Fernie Grove and now I live in Northgate, around the corner from school.

Speaker 1 2:04

All right.

Ms. Speedy's Educational Background

Speaker 2 2:05

Very good, all right. Now there's a question for you, miss B. Yes, what about yourself? Like Ari's at school in grade three? That's right, ari. Yeah, yeah, and you've just had a birthday, didn't you turn nine? No, yeah, now, miss V, I'm going to ask how old you are, but I want to ask you about what was school like for you. Very quickly, how was primary school for you and how was high school for you? Was there any issues, struggles, or was it pretty smooth sailing for you?

Speaker 3 2:26

It was pretty smooth sailing. I loved going to school. I enjoyed the sporting side of school. So I wasn't academic, I more enjoyed being there for the sporting side. Primary school was great. I had a go at everything. I played a musical instrument, I was in the choir, I did athletics, I did swimming, kind of gave everything a go, whereas in high school I didn't do the choir and I didn't play an instrument and I wouldn't say I was the best student, like I really had to push myself to study because I didn't love studying. But you have to right when you're at school. Yeah, so, yeah. So both positive experiences, but I probably preferred primary school to high school.

Speaker 2 3:06

Yeah, good, was there much bullying at your school as you went to?

Speaker 3 3:08

Not really Like there was, but I think there's bullying all the time. It's just part of growing up and being a child, but I wouldn't say it was excessive.

Speaker 2 3:17

Okay, all right. All right, are you going to ask the next question, or me?

Speaker 1 3:25

What is that?

Speaker 2 3:26

You ask this one.

Speaker 1 3:29

What favourite year level will you?

Speaker 2 3:34

work with.

Speaker 3 3:35

Work with. See, this is why I feel blessed because I'm at a P to 12. Because although I'm high school trained, I actually really love primary school. I probably like I know you're not in this grade yet, but I really like those middle years because that's when I find kids are having the most challenging sort of times and I just love being that support person for them through those rocky periods. But each grade has, like, their pluses. So I can't say I have a specific grade, but I definitely love working at a P to 12 because then I get everybody primary and high school.

Speaker 2 4:08

That's a good answer, isn't it? Should I ask her a really tough question now? Yeah, because she's doing well. She answers the questions very well, doesn't it, miss V? So where did it all start? Why did we get into teaching? Where, um? So where did it all start? Why did we get into teaching? Where did we first start teaching? Was it in your family? Was there a passion, like, how'd you enter the profession?

Career Path and Teaching Philosophy

Speaker 3 4:23

Um, I always used to go to school and then come home from school and play teachers with my sister. So we used to set up a classroom and have like our dolls as our students. So I always played school after school, um, and then I got to high school and I obviously love sports. So that's why I just went down that path of becoming a HPE teacher and I guess I just love working with kids in that sort of space that you know you have that connection with them and that you know you become that memory that they remember. Oh, I remember that teacher in high school that you know they taught you or you had this great relationship with. I'm all about, I guess, having that holistic approach to their education. Like, I'm not there to make sure they get A's and, you know, go to university, but I want them to have a healthy memory of what school was like and by being that person that can kind of buffer the storms with them. So, yeah, that's why I wanted to be a teacher.

Speaker 2 5:17

Nice, where was your first school?

Speaker 3 5:19

Well, as soon as I graduated I had a bit of a delayed start, so I went to uni and then halfway through I was like this isn't for me, so I left and just worked for a little bit. And then I decided I wanted to travel. So I went back to uni and did the rest of my degree I had another year to go and then actually went overseas and taught overseas for a few years. Nice and then, when I came back, I taught at Red Bank Plains Okay High school.

Speaker 2 5:42

And PE teaching.

Speaker 3 5:44

PE teaching, yep PE teaching and in secondary school. And then I had a career change and left education altogether and worked somewhere else, and then I had a family and now I'm back here at Earnshaw. So I've only really been at two schools within Queensland and then a few schools overseas.

Speaker 2 6:02

Nice, I have a question for you. Yeah, it's not part of this, is that okay? Did you know that Mrs Speedy used to be a PE teacher? Did you know that? Did you just pause?

Speaker 1 6:15

it no, there you go.

Speaker 3 6:17

I learn something every day.

Speaker 2 6:18

Well, I might be a challenge of handball later or something All right. How about you ask this one who is your favourite student? You said you were going to ask who we did.

Speaker 3 6:32

I don't have any.

Speaker 2 6:34

I've got many, many students. Is that a good answer? That's not a good answer.

Speaker 3 6:39

Do you want me to say somebody's name Oscar Noble.

Speaker 2 6:44

Who's?

Speaker 1 6:45

that Oscar.

Speaker 2 6:46

Who's Oscar Noble, who's that?

Speaker 1 6:48

The person who was in our podcast.

Speaker 2 6:50

Oh my gosh.

Speaker 3 6:51

Do you know him?

Speaker 2 6:53

He's my brother, he's your brother.

Speaker 3 6:56

I have many students, but you would be one of them definitely.

Speaker 2 7:00

That's lovely. All right, I'm going to ask another tricky question. Is that all right In your role as Head of Inclusion? What are the best parts and what are the most frustrating parts?

Speaker 3 7:10

Frustrating red tape and you know that kind of side of things, policy and just yeah, having to conform sometimes to mainstream education. But the best part is the variety. Like I come to work each day and there's no day that is the same. Every day is different and I love that because, yeah, it just makes life more interesting.

Speaker 2 7:32

That's awesome, isn't it? Well, what do you think, Ari? Does it make you want to be a teacher? Does it make you want to be a teacher or not? Would you like to be a teacher when you get older?

Speaker 1 7:41

What would you?

Speaker 2 7:42

teach? What would you teach? Would you be a sports teacher? Would you be, like Mr, head of Inclusion?

Speaker 1 7:49

Probably sports.

Speaker 3 7:51

Or I can make a digitech. You're good with computers.

Speaker 2 7:54

Mm.

Speaker 3 7:55

And you like that side of things.

Rapid-Fire Favourites

Speaker 2 7:56

You'd be good. You set up all this today in this podcasting gear. So well done, All right, shall we get to know Miss Speedy a bit more? Shall we get into this section now?

Speaker 1 8:04

Yeah.

Speaker 2 8:04

We're going to ask you a list of favourites here, and you have to answer as fast as you can. Miss Speedy, You're doing very well, by the way, in your first podcast.

Speaker 1 8:11

Drink.

Speaker 2 8:11

Favourite drink.

Speaker 3 8:13

Coffee.

Speaker 2 8:16

Has she got coffee now? Yes, I do. Favorite food, Miss Phoebe.

Speaker 3 8:21

What's your favorite food? I like many, probably pizza, oh nice.

Speaker 2 8:28

Oh, I love it I want to ask now what's your favorite type of pizza?

Speaker 1 8:38

What goes on it? You know those meat things that are round, and then it has a circle.

Speaker 2 8:45

Pepperoni.

Speaker 1 8:47

Salami or pepperoni, pepperoni, yeah.

Speaker 2 8:51

Me too Same pizza.

Speaker 3 8:53

Yeah, I love it.

Speaker 2 8:55

That's crazy, all right.

Speaker 1 9:02

All right, you're going to ask this one Favourite movie. Oh, good one.

Speaker 3 9:08

Well done. Oh, this is hard. I've got so many, but I'm probably going to say a Jim Carrey movie Dumb and Dumber.

Speaker 2 9:17

Oh, there we go, dumb, and.

Speaker 3 9:18

Dumber, do you like that one? I love that.

Speaker 2 9:21

I loved it as a kid.

Speaker 3 9:23

That was so funny and I still get a good laugh when I watch it. Now, have you watched it? Okay, I?

Speaker 2 9:29

thought you were laughing because you'd seen it before. All right, what about your favourite lolly?

Speaker 3 9:36

Probably musk sticks oh yum, ooh Good.

Speaker 1 9:43

What's your favourite chocolate Mmm.

Speaker 3 9:46

Oh, I think I'm a 12. You know the 12 chocolate bars, yeah, 12.

Speaker 2 9:51

What's your favourite? Chocolate Ari.

Speaker 1 9:53

Dairy milk chocolate.

Speaker 2 9:54

Oh, they're very similar, they're very similar, both by Cadbury Mmm Probably.

Speaker 3 9:56

Snickers, Snickers yeah.

Speaker 1 9:57

Snickers are good too. Have you tried the Snickers?

Speaker 3 10:02

Snickers yeah.

Speaker 2 10:02

Snickers are good too. Have you tried the Snickers ice cream? Yeah, they're really good. All right, I'm going to ask what about your favourite song or song style?

Speaker 3 10:14

I'm very diverse with music. I like a bit of everything. I wouldn't have a. I like anything with high energy, so I'm not really into like slow music. I like you know things that make you feel good.

Speaker 2 10:28

Okay.

Speaker 3 10:28

I don't have a particular song, no, no.

Speaker 2 10:32

Another Monday morning song that gets you going before work.

Speaker 3 10:35

Just my gym workout playlist so that's got. I can't think of a specific one.

Speaker 2 10:40

Do you think Miss Speedy should sing one of her songs, so we know what she's talking?

Speaker 3 10:43

about.

Speaker 2 10:44

No I can't sing. Are you going to ask this one?

Speaker 1 10:50

What's your favourite animal? A?

Speaker 3 10:52

meerkat.

Speaker 1 10:53

Ooh, that's different isn't it.

Speaker 2 10:55

Do they bite you? No, okay, all right. Do you want to ask this one too? Do you remember this word? Okay. Do you want to ask this one too? Do you remember this word? Okay, favourite leisure time activity.

Speaker 3 11:09

I'm not very good at relaxing, so probably going for a walk or just doing something active still yeah, okay.

Speaker 1 11:22

What's your favourite dessert?

Speaker 2 11:24

He's smiling for when you say that Dessert.

Speaker 3 11:30

An Oreo McFlurry, ooh, actually an M&M one M&Ms.

Speaker 1 11:37

I like the big ice cream Oreo.

Speaker 2 11:41

Yes, yum.

Speaker 3 11:43

In the tub, yeah, or at McDonald's Tub.

Speaker 2 11:48

Or both, Both actually. This is making me feel hungry now. All right, do you want to ask this really tough one? We've only got a few left here, haven't we?

Speaker 1 11:57

Last $20,. What would you buy?

Speaker 2 12:02

Oh, you're down to your last $20,. Miss Speedy, what are you going to buy with that?

Speaker 3 12:06

A coffee, can I just spend it on myself? I don't need to.

Speaker 2 12:14

Yeah, okay.

Speaker 3 12:15

Coffee. Maybe a lotto ticket just for good luck, yeah, last meal.

Speaker 1 12:26

What would you have?

Speaker 2 12:28

Very good. While you're thinking about that, ari, you're actually summarising these questions you've written down so well done, you're on death row, you've got your last meal.

Speaker 3 12:39

Okay, what are you?

Speaker 2 12:40

having.

Speaker 3 12:41

Pasta. Ooh, I love meal.

Speaker 1 12:42

Okay, what are you having? Pasta, ooh, I love them.

Speaker 2 12:45

Yeah, do you know what it?

Speaker 1 12:47

is what type of.

Speaker 2 12:48

Cabanara, ooh, bacon, cheese, egg, yum. All this food is making me hungry now.

Speaker 1 12:54

I love bacon.

Speaker 3 12:56

Me too.

Speaker 2 12:57

All right, I've got a tough one for you now. Suddenly, miss Speedy is off death row, but she is stuck on a deserted island and she can only bring three people with her and they cannot be family members. So she's going to take three people to a deserted island. Who are they and why?

Speaker 3 13:15

Okay, I'll probably take three friends. It would be probably Miss Kay from school, because I know I'd have a good laugh with her. Another friend out of school who he's also funny and she's a teacher. So we've got interests. And then I feel I should take someone creative who could, you know, make us a house and look for food, so maybe just a support person that can help me when I'm on the island Is that okay, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2 13:48

That's a good answer, isn't it? Someone else laughed. That's something to keep you happy. All right, we've got one more question.

Speaker 3 14:12

Can you read today, interviewing me and turning it around this morning because you didn't want to do this today, did you?

Speaker 1 14:21

Yeah.

Speaker 3 14:21

Yeah, and Miss Billing was worried about you and look at you now, now you're the host. Five out of five asking all the questions and I'm answering them for you and we're having a great time.

Speaker 2 14:32

That's very good, isn't it? Now, I know this is about Miss B, but should we see if Miss B has a question for you?

Speaker 3 14:38

Okay.

Speaker 2 14:40

We put her on the spot here.

Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

Speaker 3 14:41

All right, Ari. Where do you see yourself when you finish school? Sad Because you're not at school.

Speaker 2 14:53

You're going to miss all the help.

Speaker 1 14:55

Because I'm lucky.

Speaker 3 14:56

But you'll still be mates, yeah, but where do you see yourself as an adult? Like what sort of job do you think you'd be living at home with mum and dad? Technology, technology, good job.

Speaker 2 15:09

Look at that Good question. Good answer too, on the spot, miss Biddy. Where do you see yourself in five years' time?

Speaker 3 15:16

Probably still here at Earnshaw, yep, or if I'm not at Earnshaw, maybe not in education as well. Yeah, there might be a calling elsewhere or doing something, but with kids, but maybe not in EQ.

Speaker 2 15:31

Okay, okay Well, do you think we should round it up there?

Speaker 1 15:35

Yeah.

Speaker 2 15:36

Do you want to thank her for coming on the show?

Speaker 3 15:38

Thank you, that's all right. Thank you for having me. I enjoyed this.

Speaker 2 15:42

And thank you for being open with us. And thank you, Ari, for all your great questions and I think you've done a great job. I think you're going to take my job now.

Speaker 1 15:55

Maybe I should go back to school and wear a uniform and you can just keep doing this like I'm doing. What do you think? Thanks for coming to the show.