ZhaoFei (Victor) Shen, a pre-service teacher at the University of Melbourne, shares his journey into teaching mathematics and physics.
My journey into teaching began with an unexpected revelation. Two years ago, standing outside the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne after my final physics exam, I made a decision: I would not continue down the path of physics.
I was barely passing, and I felt increasingly disconnected from the abstract theoretical knowledge that seemed to dominate my studies.
Instead, my true passions lay elsewhere – creating video game tutorials and tutoring English to secondary students in China. These activities brought me more satisfaction and a sense of genuine achievement than my physics degree ever had.
When my parents inquired about my future, I surprised them with my unexpected choice: I wanted to become a teacher.
What drove me wasn’t just a career choice, but a transformative experience. The joy of watching students I’ve helped achieve their goals was something profoundly meaningful – a feeling I had never experienced before in my academic journey.
Now, I’m completing my Master of Teaching (Secondary) degree at the University of Melbourne, specialising in mathematics and physics. These subjects aren’t random selections; they’re subjects I feel most confident teaching based on my prior knowledge.
My approach to teaching goes beyond traditional instruction – I’m committed to making learning relevant and engaging. Take mathematics, for instance. Students often question the real-world application of complex mathematical concepts like calculus. My response is always practical: I highlight the importance of being able to calculate the unit price of goods so they can tell whether they are saving money whenever there is a sale.
Physics presents a different challenge. While some argue that physics phenomena rarely appear in daily life, I believe the discipline teaches something far more valuable: a mindset of curiosity. Understanding how and why things work develops critical thinking skills essential in modern society.
My most memorable teaching strategy involves using memes to introduce complex topics. During my school placements, I created memes that showcase key lesson ideas, using them as introductory hooks and challenging students to explain their meaning after content delivery. While curriculum content remains consistent, our presentation can make lessons engaging. To my delight, students absolutely loved these unconventional teaching methods.
I’ve completed three four-week teaching rounds in Melbourne’s metropolitan areas, reflecting my urban background growing up in Shanghai. While I’m open to rural teaching experiences, city schools remain my primary focus. Beyond school placements, I currently tutor Secondary students of all year levels in mathematics and physics, finding these one-on-one sessions both financially rewarding and personally fulfilling.
The current teaching landscape presents significant challenges. During my placements, I came face-to-face with teaching’s intense physical and emotional demands: managing just three classes left me exhausted. The severe teacher shortage across Melbourne and Victoria isn’t just a statistic – it’s a lived experience. While I’ve successfully completed my placements, the prospect of future workloads is daunting. Everyone talks about these challenges, and now I truly understand why.
As I approach the end of my teaching degree, I’m excited about the potential to inspire future generations. My journey proves that unexpected paths often lead to the most rewarding destinations.
