Business scholar returns to her roots

A former Brisbane Water Secondary College student and budding business scholar has returned to her roots, securing a full-time job at a local school teaching business studies, legal studies, and commerce.

Danielle McFarlane, graduated with a Bachelor of Secondary Education, Humanities (Honours), at the University of Newcastle this year.

McFarlane said she had been taught business studies at BWSC by Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch.

“When I first had her as a teacher I gave Liesl a really hard time and I was not nice to her at all; she took that in her stride and she taught me more about myself than anyone else ever had,” McFarlane said.

“She was very good at highlighting everyone’s strengths but also encouraging us to challenge and identify and push ourselves in areas where we were not as strong.

“She made me communicate with people I’d grown up with my whole life but had never worked with, making us lean into each other and learn from one another.

“She challenged us in a supportive way – I would really love to channel that in my teaching.”

After attending the University of Newcastle Teachers Graduation Ceremony recently, Tesch, said she was overjoyed to watch her former Business Studies student become a teacher too.

“I know Danielle recently had a big accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result, just three months before she was due to finish her degree,” Tesch said.

“She explained she had to put her degree on hold for a while and obtain clearance before she could return to her studies because of the nature of the injury.

“Despite this all, she overcame it and finished strong.

“I genuinely could not be prouder of Danielle, and I cannot wait to see the impact she has on the future leaders of the Central Coast.”

Source:
Media release, Feb 14
Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch