Teaching is Krystal clear

When she was 12, Krystal Cathcart burst into tears when her mother asked her to go into a shop to buy a loaf of bread. Now she’s an awesome teacher. Her history means she can look at things from a variety of perspectives and has empathy. Smart Start investigates.

“I remember sitting in the car, tears streaming down my face,” says Krystal. “I was extremely shy. In the end my six-year-old sister bought the loaf of bread.”

But that day became a turning-point for Krystal. She decided to face her fears by joining the school debating team. Within five years she was standing in front of 500 dignitaries in Queensland State Parliament House, giving a speech on education.

She was dux of her year in years 9-12. She also gained an OP1 (A VERY GOOD SCORE!)

“So naturally it was expected that I’d go on to study medicine or law,” Krystal says, 21. “But I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, to make a difference in the lives of children.”

She traces her goal of teaching back to her family’s lifestyle: “I remember coming home from school one day when we were living in Woodridge, Brisbane, to find out that dad had sold up everything and bought a bus.

“We headed off around Australia, but only spent nine months on the road before arriving at Lightning Ridge, where dad caught opal fever and mum fell pregnant.”

Krystal would make her three younger siblings do their homework. She realised she loved helping to teach them. She graduated with an education degree (honours) from the Uni of Southern Queensland with a massive 7 grade average.

Krystal attributes her success to hard work.: “Some people are just naturally smart, but I’m not like that. I work hard, I am very competitive and I have a great memory. My parents never pressured me. They thought I sometimes studied too much.”

Speaking is now a passion for Krystal. Through her honours and internship-based research, Krystal has been able to explore the role of efficient public speaking skills in the lives of children.

Nice Krystal!

• Speaking is now a passion for Krystal. Through her honours and internship based research, Krystal has been able to explore the role of efficient public speaking skills in the lives of children.

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