Vicki Slattery

Vicki Slattery

Australia

I’ve been teaching leadlight on a Monday and/or Tuesday night at the Sydney Community College for the last 23 years. In 1998 I was honoured with receiving the Stephen Lardner Memorial award for excellence in adult education.

I still get a buzz from teaching, even after all this time. I make sure that the leadlight course is hands on from day one. The first night is always the same, a feeling of uncertainty by students who are unsure how the term will finish up, who everyone is, and what they will do, is it going to be worth the money they spent on materials and equipment? By the last class everyone is surprised at the satisfaction they feel at accomplishing something a professional would be proud of and the skills they’ve gained to continue, either on their own, or choosing to come back for more ‘punishment’.

Ask my past students. I have students coming back many years later to extend their knowledge and show off their latest projects. I had a call one day from New York, it was a woman who wanted to plan her travel dates to Sydney to ensure it coincided with the 8 week term so she could enrol while she was here – word of mouth is a powerful advertising tool! This wasn’t the only off shore student – I also had one from Scotland.

I have taught students who have been contaminated with the ‘leadlight bug’, these people have gone on to accept commission pieces of significant size or have taken their passion to teaching.

Don’t take my word for it, come see for yourself!