Meet MBA Student, James Hall

Pictured: Jim with a student by the "Maths Wall".

James, also known as Jim, is a proud Deputy Principal who recently commenced his MBA studies. We, the MBA Team sat down with Jim to talk about his teaching experience in a remote community, to get his thoughts on the first course he successfully completed and everything in between.

You are the Deputy Principal at Ipswich East State School. What does a typical day look like for you?

As an instructional leader I work on the ground across our school each and every day to ensure an enacted curriculum in all classrooms. This work is highly intentional and in support of providing teachers with the appropriate conditions to teach, ensuring a sustainable workforce of skilled teaching staff and as a team, providing equity and excellence for every child.

I work within a united leadership team focussed on supporting our staff and building capability encompassing the development and embedding of whole school processes, agreed practices and high yield pedagogy.

I enjoy giving back and working with families, carers, community members and external stakeholders to ensure a holistic approach to developing our students as active and informed members of our community.

As a proud Deputy Principal, I lead and facilitate the school transition program working with our local Early Childhood Education and Care centres to ensure a strong transition for every child in our community.

In 2017 you relocated to a remote community in Australia for your career. Can you tell us about this experience? What did you learn about yourself?

Relocating to North Queensland and living and working on Native Title Land in Doomadgee while completing my country service, changed the way I see the world and absolutely the way I teach. The local custodians were so welcoming, often acknowledging “this young man had left his family to join ours”.

Having taught across Queensland in various regions and communities I often say, “kids are kids no matter where you teach” but Doomadgee was different. I will always cherish the rich culture, learning the local language and working with families with immeasurable resilience.

Yes, leaving my partner, family and life as I knew in Brisbane was difficult, but I formed friendships that will last a lifetime, memories and stories that I will cherish for the rest of my life and as the teacher “who went to teach”, the students and their families taught me so much. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to have experienced living and working in such a beautiful remote community here in Queensland.

You have had the opportunity to connect with the Griffith MBA Community in and outside of the classroom. How would you describe it (the community)?

As a relational teacher and leader, I wouldn’t consider myself a strong academic. Griffith MBA has gifted me the support and many connections with other leaders across a variety of fields and organisations. Being able to come together and learn from each other within my MBA is truly inspiring. Everyone has a passion for learning and innovation.

You have just finished your first course, Sustainability and Systems Thinking. Congratulations! What did you enjoy and did anything surprise you?

Studying Sustainability and Systems Thinking really highlights to me our Department’s strategic work and that we all have an important role to play in enacting our vision. In education we are tasked with great challenges within a complex system. We need to think critically and continue to work together on complex problems to empower our communities and ensure a bright future for every child in Queensland.

What is one thing you have read, watched, or listened to that you would recommend to your MBA peers?

Years ago, I was helping host a Christmas Concert and a local High School band had come to perform. As soon as they walked on stage everyone in the hall could feel their energy as they told the students in the crowd to follow their dreams, never give up and most importantly that “the future is NOW”. Pretty inspiring from a 14-year-old…

This is a phrase I often use now when talking to our senior cohorts about leadership and the future. Our children are the future, the future is now, and we can learn from them.

If you want to get inspired to make a positive change or try something new, talk to, listen and spend time with the young people of today. You might surprise yourself.

Children are often not too risk adverse, very enthusiastic and ready for a challenge. This is often the contagious breath of fresh air I need, helping me to recharge and remember my personal "why".

Which UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) are you most passionate about and why?

Hand on heart, I believe providing free high-quality education across the globe regardless of location or background is vital to ensuring equality on this planet as we work together to transform the world. Education is not only a superpower, it’s a human right.

As a teacher I ensure all students and colleagues know that I believe in them and that they can succeed! We must always keep front of mind that learning is lifelong, success looks different for each individual and to always celebrate the small wins.

If you have a question for MBA student, James Hall we encourage you to connect with James on LinkedIn.