It was my love of books that first made me consider teaching. I had a very positive schooling experience, so having students go through the same positive experience and enjoying being there is a passion of mine. I want them to want to come to school and leave at the end of year 12 happy that they completed their schooling.

I've been a year advisor for four years. I love surrounding myself around the students, not just in the classroom but through other avenues of their lives and seeing them finish high school and being there for all those events.

So long in my journey I've had a lot of great mentors. I feel they have shaped me into the teacher I am today and they've definitely gotten me to this spot. I have just completed my master's to become a teacher librarian and I feel supported to maintain my professional development.

I also felt supported to start a family through teaching, as we have great maternity leave program. I was supported by my principal and my head teacher as well, lucky enough to be able to take 12 months off with paid leave and I am still doing professional learning and still involved in everything that I would be if I wasn't going on leave for a year.

Every day is different, which I love. You have busy days, but seeing the students every day is so rewarding.

My name is Jess and I teach in a NSW public school.