Changing the world one mind at a time

Mark now captures the attention of hundreds of students a year at TAFE Queensland’s Senior College, hopeful that his experience will influence positive environmental solutions in his students’ future careers.

“I hope that as a teacher that every time a student comes into my classroom, my practical experience, my knowledge of working with the environment, my passion for animals in the ecosystem would hopefully come through and I could end up changing the minds of multiple people and working in a school,” Mark said.

“If I can change the mindset of a small handful of people each year, I know that they're going to have a bigger influence on the environment or animal protection - the single little seals that I was saving, or dolphins would eventually turn into tens of seals and tens of dolphins.”

For the past four years, Mark has been a very motivational maths and science teacher at TAFE Queensland’s Senior College.

Offered exclusively at our Alexandra Hills campus in Brisbane, this program allows students to complete Year 11 and 12 in a flexible, personal, and mature learning environment.

He is also a valued member of TAFE Queensland’s Social and Environmental Sustainability Plan working group, and is striving to help the organisation meet its sustainability goals and implement innovative solutions in our work and training.

More about Mark

What did you do before your teaching career? 
Before Teaching, I managed a Marine Education and Conservation Centre and Wild Dolphin Program on Moreton Island, focusing on Environmental Education, Ecotours, Wild Dolphin Interactions and native marine and land animal rescues. I also worked abroad in Africa rescuing lion cubs and in The Netherlands where I worked in a Seal Hospital where I rescued, cared for and researched the wild Common and Grey Seal populations in the North Sea 

What inspired you to become a teacher? 
For many years I worked rescuing animals. Eventually, I came to the realisation that all I was doing was putting band-aids on sick and injured animals and placing them back into a broken environment. Whilst researching seals in The Netherlands, my research soon turned in rescue, after rescue, after rescue. At that point I knew that if I truly wanted to make a difference and protect these animals and their environment, I needed to look at the bigger picture. So, I jumped on a plane back to Australia and decided that as a teacher I would have the ability to create change and influence the way up-and-coming generations see our environment, resources, and future sustainable developments. 

What is the most rewarding part of your job? 
Seeing students graduate with a passion for the future and innovative ideas to create change. 

Why is environmental sustainability important to you? 
If we don’t design our society to be integrated as one with nature, we will continue to deal with environmental crisis that impact our quality of life. We need to learn from our indigenous nations and our animals and learn to live with the environment. If we do not take care of our environment, it will not take care of us. 

What are your top tips on incorporating environmental sustainability into everyday life?
Less is more, there is a difference between having things you want and having things you need. Look for recycled products, grow as much food as your garden allows you to, and take time to enjoy the beauty in nature. 

What is the one piece of advice you would offer to others seeking to create change?
Dream the unimaginable and believe in your journey. If you truly want to be someone and make change, do it, because you can! 

What one thing have you done to incorporate sustainability in your work life?
Reduced the reliance of printing and paper. 

What are you reading, watching or listening to right now?
​​​​​​​I read, watch, and listen to my garden. I’m interested in permaculture and am building an edible food forest in my suburban back yard. The joys of not owning a TV for going on 21 years, lets me spend more time in my garden with my animals.