Requirements

Nexus Written Statement / Social Justice Statement: In approximately 500 words, tell us your reasons for aspiring to be considered for Nexus. The purpose of the Nexus written statement is to learn more about what drives your aspiration to become a teacher in a low socioeconomic, regional, rural or remote school. In your Nexus written statement, you may want to discuss your: personal background and experiences; skills and talents; personal qualities, attitudes and disposition; and passion for teaching and social justice.

My statement

As an ethnic Chinese, I grew up in Shanghai, with Mandarin as my first language, and started learning English from primary school. After 12 years of primary and secondary education, I was admitted into Shanghai University majoring in Bioengineering. During my time there, I obtained a Bachelor degree and also studied Japanese and passed JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N2 and N3 tests.

I worked a few years after graduation as a software developer until I migrated to Adelaide, Australia and studied in The Unversity of Adelaide on Master of Computing and Innovation. Since I started working on my Master degree, I've lived in Australia for more than 10 years, with 15 years experience working as a full time software engineer.

Now I am an Australian citizen and live permanently in Mill Park, Victoria, and would be happy to work for a school in a northern suburb after graduation.

I can cover most STEM subjects, including Science, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Information Technologies, and I would also be happy to teach Chinese or Japanese.

I aspire to be a teacher because I have consistently been an effective mentor in the workplace. I often tutored junior teammates, guiding them in the right direction. With a logical and articulate mindset, I am able to quickly grasp core concepts and convey them clearly and accessibly to my audience. This ability is an inherent part of who I am.

I am also Compared to my previous role as an engineer, being a teacher offers greater social interaction and a more diverse professional experience.

Teaching Suitability Assessment Statement

• What motivates you to want to become a teacher?

  I am motivated to become a teacher because I find genuine satisfaction in helping others understand complex ideas and grow in confidence. In my professional career as an engineer, I consistently took on mentoring responsibilities and enjoyed guiding junior colleagues. Teaching allows me to have a positive, long-term impact by supporting students not only academically but also in developing problem-solving skills and curiosity. Compared to engineering, teaching offers greater social interaction and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the community.

• What skills and/or attributes do you have that you believe make you a suitable teacher?

  I have a logical and articulate mindset that enables me to quickly grasp core concepts and explain them clearly in an accessible way. I am patient, approachable, and experienced in tailoring explanations to suit different learning styles. My background in STEM equips me to teach subjects such as Mathematics, Science, and Information Technologies, and my language skills allow me to teach Chinese or Japanese. My experience mentoring junior teammates has strengthened my ability to communicate effectively, provide constructive feedback, and build supportive learning relationships.

• Describe a significant learning experience that has shaped your approach to teaching or education.

  I often rely on real-life examples and analogies to ease cognitive load, an approach that has consistently resonated with learners. As our understanding is shaped by what we already know, learning happens when we bridge the gap between the familiar and the unfamiliar.