David Steele Email & Phone Number

David Steele is a Head of Mathematics Department at Tatachilla Lutheran College at Tatachilla Lutheran College. Colleagues describe him as "I attest to David’s teamwork, discretion, conceptual knowledge, peer support, expertise, reliability, leadership and all round skill as a teacher. I worked closely with David for a number of years, teaching both Mathematics and Science. David’s Teamwork was excellent. When planning Semester unit tasks he and I would share jobs, plan a sequence of Common assessment (including Exam writing) tasks. We always reviewed each others work. The two of us would then share those Common tasks, with the group of teachers working with us. Our peers came to rely on him doing so, while they focussed on other duties. David always met the deadlines to do this, never leaving matters to the last minute. I can attest to his discretion during this process and in other matters. On occasion he & I needed to up-manage a colleague in our AoS. He always kept confidence & gave me very wise counsel when I needed it. His conceptual knowledge is excellent! With emerging SACE course content adjustments, we would see who nutted out sticking bits first…conceptual issues, or especially tech issues (eg when allowed, but unfamiliar tech happened with a student). I found those experiences really stimulating. David emerged as a leader during our time together, assuming a presenter’s role in peer staff-training activities/exercises. He met all deadlines, did the extra step collating input from our DNA+ group (I happened to be the plus component that year!) and presented the material with aplomb. He dealt with all queries from the floor with lucid, accurate responses, giving context as required. In these activities he always created the environment where all team members felt included & valued. As to classroom teaching, David quickly establishes a positive working relationship with each student. He gives clear guidance and has a good balance of instructional delivery and work at own pace. He builds conceptual skills sequentially and efficiently in his students. They become strong independent learners. With struggling students he is endlessly patient, exhausting all possible pathways for the student to engage. Student respond well to his warm disposition. David is effective in communicating with his students’ parents. From working with and observing David I believe I became a better teacher."

• 

  Flinders University

  Mathematics