Named Teacher of the Year at the NSW Training Awards in 2024, Mr Michael Pfeffer has traded chef whites for the classroom, transforming his culinary expertise into inspiring young minds at Dapto High School.
Michael Pfeffer’s journey from professional chef to passionate educator is a story of inspiration and transformation.
“Vocational Education and Training has always been a pivotal part of my success,” he says, tracing his path back to high school where he studied his Certificate II in hospitality.
During his school years, Mr Pfeffer gained practical experience through work placements, securing part-time employment in the hospitality industry.
“I was offered an apprenticeship, but I was a little unsure about what I wanted to do,” he explains. His high school hospitality teacher proved instrumental, influencing his decision to complete his Higher School Certificate (HSC) before pursuing culinary training.
His competitive spirit emerged early, representing his region at the national WorldSkills competition.
“I was always interested in learning and pushing myself,” Mr Pfeffer says.
Mentors played a crucial role in his development, with one executive chef particularly encouraging his educational aspirations.
Now teaching Technological and Applied Studies (TAS), namely food technology, to students at Dapto High School, the transition from kitchen to classroom wasn’t immediate.
He worked as a chef for a decade, simultaneously nurturing a growing interest in education.
“I wanted to be able to give back and provide opportunities to students,” he says.
His experiences with work placement students revealed his teaching potential, noting how he learned to break down complex instructions into manageable steps.
Winning the NSW Training Awards Apprentice of the Year became a significant milestone.
“It was a building block for my career,” Mr Pfeffer says, “shifting my mindset and motivating me to take more of a teaching role.”
Ultimately, he completed his Bachelor of Education, transitioning from professional kitchens to classrooms, where he now inspires the next generation of hospitality professionals.
A diverse role
Mr Pfeffer’s transition into teaching was a carefully considered journey, driven by passion and personal experience.
“I still had relatively good relationships with TAFE teachers, and could have gone down the pathway of becoming a TAFE teacher,” he explains, “but I was passionate about the opportunity to teach high school students.”
His own positive high school experience significantly influenced this decision, motivating him to pursue secondary education, despite having TAFE as an optional pathway.
But the classroom presented initial challenges.
“I was quite comfortable standing in front of people, but when you’ve got all eyes on you while you’re trying to pass on knowledge, I was a little nervous,” he admits.
Drawing from his culinary background, he quickly adapted his teaching approach, remembering how work experience students would get confused with complex instructions.
“I learned I needed to break steps down, provide simple instructions, and demonstrate,” Mr Pfeffer says.
This experience became a fundamental teaching principle, ensuring students could comprehend and engage with the material.
The diversity of his teaching role at Dapto High School also appealed to him.
“I’m a VET teacher teaching vocational education courses, but I’m also a TAS teacher teaching food technology and technology mandatory subjects for years seven and eight,” he explains, highlighting the variety that keeps his work exciting.
His early teaching experiences were marked by a commitment to practical, real-world learning, exemplified by initiatives like the school cafe, where “students can put the skills they’re learning into a real-world situation”.
Award-winning leader
This commitment extends beyond traditional classroom boundaries, most notably through the development of the school cafe at Dapto High School.
“Myself and another hospitality teacher, Krisharna Leighton had the initial concept and initiation to start it,” he explains. The cafe, operating every Tuesday, serves as a dynamic learning environment where students prepare and serve coffee, non-alcoholic beverages, sweets, and food items.
“It enables students to put the skills they’re learning into a real-world situation where they’re serving teachers and customers,” Mr Pfeffer says. This hands-on approach allows students to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical experience, bridging the gap between classroom learning and professional practice.
He has proven to be a consummate and collaborative educator, giving students the best learning and industry experiences possible. He’s been an integral part of the development of the Rural School Café at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the Chief Judge for the VET in Schools WorldSkills cooking competition, and the NSW state team leader in 2024.
“I enjoy the aspect of judging, but I also take it as an opportunity to visit different schools, talk to different teachers, and see how they operate with vocational training,” he says.
His motivation stems from his own competitive background. “When I won competitions as an apprentice, judges provided me with employment opportunities,” he says.
Now, he aims to create similar pathways for his students.
One notable success is Emily Speirs, who won a silver medal at the National WorldSkills Competition and now works in hospitality. “It’s awesome to see their journey,” Mr Pfeffer says, embodying his commitment to student development.
For Mr Pfeffer, teaching’s greatest reward is the growth and success of students and showing them a love for learning.
These moments reinforce his belief that educators can make a significant difference in young people’s lives.
At the national awards in Canberra last year, Mr Pfeffer, the only high school teacher among finalists, found further inspiration.
“Hearing the stories and experiences of trainees and apprentices ignited my passion even more,” he says. Although he didn’t win the top national teacher prize, the experience was transformative.
“Hearing their stories and the influence vocational education had on them actually reinforces the impact we make as educators,” Mr Pfeffer says.
He was struck by the diversity of vocations represented, from cyber security to hospitality.
The experience reaffirmed his commitment to teaching, highlighting that educators can create “impact in small moments in individuals’ lives” or contribute to longer-term personal and professional development.
