Interview with Sharyn O'Neill

I just wanted to become a teacher

Source: School Matters 1 February 10, 2006

IF SHARYN O’Neill had followed the advice of her Year 12 career counsellor she would probably be one of Perth’s top surgeons or a partner in one of the city’s leading law firms by now. Instead, she is sitting in the chair of one of the Department’s top jobs, all because she was determined to realise her dream of becoming a primary school teacher. “When I was at school and I did well in my TEE they tried to encourage me to pursue a career in medicine or law,” Sharyn said. “But I told them I wasn’t interested. I just wanted to become a teacher.”

After graduating at the top of her class at university, Sharyn went on to teach in various city and country schools where she relished the opportunity to do what she loved. Despite having no plans to move from the classroom into the boardroom at that stage, her keen sense of leadership was already evident. “I hadn’t envisaged life beyond the classroom at that point,” she said. “I was totally consumed by what I did at school with the students but I did always tend to take on leadership roles within the schools and contribute more. It was all part of my enthusiasm for the job.”

A job as a School Development officer and Education Officer at the Midwest District Office followed, and then a stint as Deputy Principal at Carnarvon PS. By now Sharyn had a good idea of the type of leader she wanted to be and wasn’t going to let the fact that she was female – or young – get in her way. “In my first briefing with the principal I disabused him of any notion that I would be involved with tea towels, tampons or tears, nor would I do storerooms, sick rooms or sports days,” Sharyn recalled with a laugh. “Isn’t that what the management book says – make clear your values, principles and what you are going to ‘stand for’?. “Needless to say we got on famously and I have the highest regard for him – and upon reflection, particularly his generosity and sensitivity to my raw enthusiasm.”

Since those days Sharyn has had the opportunity to develop her leadership and management skills in a number of different roles. She has worked in the Office of the Director General, sat on the Robson taskforce, worked at the Curriculum Council, been acting Director General, Director of Strategic Planning, and acting Executive Director Policy, Planning and Accountability. Her substantive position is Director of Education, Policy and Planning but for now she is focused on making her mark as Deputy Director General, Schools. Her major priority will be ensuring a continuous focus on high standards of learning for every learner. “The achievement of a high standard of education must be universal to every child, in every school, in every community,” Sharyn said. “But at the same time, this needs to be balanced with sensible leadership across the system and reasonable expectations of teachers.”

Sharyn plans to get out and about to schools to speak with teachers to keep on top of the issues. She’s already interviewed all of the new Level 3 and 4 teachers at the Leadership Conference and is planning to hold some teacher forums throughout the year. “I’m particularly interested in providing more coherence for teachers and helping them to make things more manageable,” she said. For a single mum of a nine-year-old boy, it’s going to be a busy existence for the next few months. But that’s not to say Sharyn is all about work. A self-confessed fitness fanatic, she does a 5km run around the Swan River every lunch time to give her time to think. She also enjoys spending time with her friends and family which includes her brother, author Tim Winton. Like Tim, who is outspoken on many environmental issues, Sharyn recognises that her career success means many people look to her as a role model. It’s not something she set out to be, but nevertheless it’s a role that she embraces. “I have often been the youngest this and the youngest that and while I haven’t necessarily seen myself as a role model, I have come to learn that it just happens and there’s a great responsibility that comes with that,” said Sharyn, who chairs the Women in Leadership reference group. “I think I can support some of the younger women coming through with some of the challenges they may face. I’ve already had some really positive feedback from people about being in the position.”

Sharyn said she had been privileged in her career to have a lot of diverse opportunities come her way which had helped her rise through the ranks. “I’ve never really planned my career, I’ve just identified opportunities and assessed each one its merit,” she said. “It’s been a very rich and exciting journey and one that has enabled me to work with some great professionals. “I look forward to my time in this role and implementing strategies to ensure a clear focus on standards as well as strategies to support teachers in their role – not to mention having a bit of fun along the way.”