Cotton industry brings teachers to the paddock

But now teaching years three, four, five and six at Comet State School, the first year teacher said she was finding her students were teaching her more than she was teaching them about agriculture. 

On Friday, about 30 teachers came together in Emerald for the annual Teach the Teacher event, where cotton industry representatives take new teachers in the region to farms and the cotton gin to educate them about the industry. 

Ms Childs said of the 26 students at Comet, she has 14 in her class.

“I really don’t know that much about agriculture,” she said.

“My kids teach me every day about all the agricultural industries because they’re all from different properties and all have different crops or animals, so they help me.”

After doing her teaching prac in Comet last year, Ms Childs said she was thrilled to be offered the three year position, but said her biggest challenge was learning about the region. 

“Apart from the roos on the road, the biggest challenge has been getting to know all the different industries - especially the ones that relate to my kids, because they come from a very different life to me,” she said. 

During the Teach the Teacher afternoon, Ms Childs said it was fascinating to learn about the industry, and said she hoped to take her knowledge back to the classroom.

“I try to relate myself as much as I can, but unfortunately it’s not that much at the moment,” she said. 

“I was totally open to coming out in to the country, but I didn’t really know where because I didn’t really know any of the regions, so I’m really happy here and hope to stay here for a while.

“I love it out here - I don’t think I’ll be back in Brisbane any time that’s for sure.”

She said she has already learnt that for her students, agriculture is “what they are really interested in”.

“Hopefully I can bring a few things back to them,” she said.

The highlight of the tour for Ms Childs was the irrigation section, when she successfully started a syphon.