Former performing arts teacher at Our Lady of Pines gets ‘jellies’ out

Former performing arts teacher Michael Zerbi is known for his next level enthusiasm at Our Lady of Pines primary school in Donvale, Victoria. Now a Foundation educator, Mr Zerbi said the job came with special responsibilities.

“We don’t have a lot of males in primary education, let alone in our junior foundation level,” said Mr Zerbi.

He said the low number of male teachers in primary education left some students without positive male role models at a very formative time in their lives.

Mr Zerbi said creating a safe, engaging learning environment at Foundation level meant they could get a bit silly.

“We always have our ‘brain breaks’ or a bit of a boogie to get the jellies out,” he said. “So there are moments when you see them wriggling on the floor and not concentrating, and so I’ll say, ‘All right, everyone up, we need to boogie. Quick, get the jellies out and let’s reset’. If I forget to do it, there are kids at the end of the day saying, ‘Mr Zerbi, we haven’t had a boogie today’. It warms my heart.

“If the environment is right and the child feels comfortable and they feel safe, it takes away some of their anxieties and opens up their mind to go, ‘I want to learn’.”

Mr Zerbi said his career choice was inspired by the joy and simplicity of his own childhood.

“When were the happiest times in my life? When I was young and had nothing to worry about. I was happy at school.”

Mr Zerbi said there was a large range in readiness and skills among young learners.

“Some of them come in knowing how to read … some of them come in with no idea, which is also okay because it gives you a starting point and it’s my job to fill them with knowledge,” he said.

Mr Zerbi was nominated in the Australia’s Best Teacher campaign by a parent who has seen her daughter go through tremendous growth under his care.

In her nomination, Lisa Pieropan wrote: “My daughter is a shy girl who has some speech difficulties. Michael has worked so well with her this year and has fostered her independence and confidence in her learning. He has supported her, been an excellent role model, and her understanding of phonics and language has improved immensely. He is so kind, positive and encouraging of my little Foundation girl.”

Mr Zerbi said teaching was evolving as a profession.

“Teaching has changed since I’ve started … you can’t do it all, as much as you want to,” he said.

To aspiring educators, he emphasised the importance of patience and perseverance and added, “If you have the patience, this is definitely a gig for you.”