Springfield farewells popular teacher and lecturer

Popular USQ education lecturer Heather Sharp will say farewell to Springfield next week after seven years teaching, lecturing and working in the local area.

Heather is leaving Springfield to take up a position with the University of Newcastle due to a family decision to move interstate.

Heather said she is leaving Springfield with a great deal of sadness and many fond memories.

'I have lived and worked in Springfield for so long that I have become very connected to the community and feel that I belong here,' Heather said.

'I began working in Springfield at the local tavern as a bar maid which enabled me to support myself while I completed my teaching degree.

'After my studies I accepted a position at Woodcrest College Senior School in 2003 where I taught English, Humanities and History to years 10 to 12 and was also the Year 12 Coordinator.'

A passion for history and reading led Heather to pursue a career in teaching where she could kindle that passion in other people.

'I have really enjoyed the challenges and joys of working with teenagers, which is why I originally trained as a secondary teacher.'

Heather left Woodcrest in 2005 to teach the value of education to others at USQ's Springfield campus.

'Moving into tertiary education at USQ enabled me to work with a wide range of people who all considered education as important as I did.'

Heather has witnessed many amazing changes in the Springfield area over the past seven years.

'When I first moved to Springfield people said that I was gullible to believe that we would ever get facilities in the area.

'Now the sceptics have been proven wrong and Greater Springfield has become a bustling, vibrant community.'

Heather will say goodbye to past and present students and co-workers at USQ on Friday 16 November 2007.

Media Contact: Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0428 102 979