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Meet Our Staff: Deb Johnstone



Meet Deb Johnstone, our Media Arts Teacher. Deb was born in Canada and has been a Teacher for 30 years.


"I always like to encourage my students to step out of their comfort zone and try new things."

What is your role at Our Lady of Mercy College?

I teach Media Arts and have a Year 8 Homeroom.


How did you get into teaching?

Architectural Design was my first degree and I worked at City Planning in Manitoba, Canada, for three years. I am not the type of person who likes to sit still, and I loved the design aspect of my career, so I went back to school, to obtain a teaching degree for drafting and design.


In Canada, to teach drafting, you have to take a teaching degree in Industrial Arts. My studies included Power Mechanics, Drafting, Graphic Design, Electronics and Metal Work. I was the only female enrolled in the course.


I celebrate my 30th year of teaching this year.


What is the best part of working at Our Lady of Mercy College?

I feel very fortunate to have been hired by Our Lady of Mercy College. The students are eager to learn and the staff makes you feel like you are part of the Our Lady of Mercy College family.


What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

In Canada I lived on the prairies where the nearest lake is 2 hours away. I like to joke, “it’s so flat you can watch your dog run away for 2 weeks and still see him”. So now, living in Australia, I have taken up Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Mountain Bike Riding, Surfing and Beach Walking.


What’s the best piece of advice you have been given? Or perhaps, have you got a piece of advice for our students?

My mom and dad always encouraged me to follow my interests and persevere, even if that did not fit in with what society labelled as "typical gender roles". Still to this day, I thank them for all the support they gave me and continue to provide me with.


I always like to encourage my students to step out of their comfort zone and try new things.


#Inspiring Learning

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