Associate Professor Susan Krieg

A first class education

Associate Professor Susan Krieg says the key elements of teaching and learning are engagement and interaction, rather than just “fun”.

“We have realised that kids need to be actively involved in the process – we have let go of the idea that kids come to us as empty vessels that we simply have to fill,” Associate Professor Krieg said. “This is true for kids through to student teachers and anyone engaging with education.”

After teaching in a range of schools, Associate Professor Krieg said her own big learning curve began when she started work at a school in a disadvantaged area of suburban Adelaide.

“The children there didn’t do what they were asked, so it was a challenge, and I had to adapt quickly,” Associate Professor Krieg said.

Associate Professor Krieg joined Flinders when the School of Education decided to establish a new teacher training program that emphasised continuity between early childhood and primary school education.

Through consultation, Associate Professor Krieg discovered that student teachers at most universities typically progress from learning about early childhood teaching to preschool and finally early primary teaching, with many students expressing a belief that their final topics and placements were the most important.

The Flinders courses have since been revised to give a greater focus to early childhood teaching.

Whatever the level of education, it all hinges on engagement.

“Our students are able to negotiate their pathway through the course to suit their own interests,” Associate Professor Krieg said. “This approach means that we university educators are able to engage with them better and produce passionate educators.

“We, as educators, shape our next generation every day we teach. I can think of no more important job to devote my life to.”