What Can They Do When Empowered: Student and Teacher Voice from South Australia

We have been following initiatives that empower students to go beyond their traditional schools and classrooms, beyond their traditional pedagogies, and their traditional learning partners. We featured an initiative of Digital Promise that involved students in the United States in Episode 177 and an initiative of YEE Education that focuses on helping students develop creativity and entrepreneurial thinking in Chongqing and Beijing, China in Episode 179.

For next episode, Episode 181, we will feature students and teachers from South Australia. The teachers and students have taken part in the Human Interdependence Project (HIP), which aims to help students develop global competency, empathy, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking. Joining us will be teachers Michael Jacobsen and Samuel Franzway as well as student Gabby from University Senior College in Adelaide.

Michael Jacobsen. Michael Jacobsen works at University Senior College (USC) in Adelaide, South Australia. USC is a Senior High School located on the University of Adelaide’s main CBD campus and teaches Economics and Business Innovation to students in Years 11 & 12 (final two years of high school) and they progress through USC’s academic and pastoral care programs while being immersed in the ‘university experience’ on campus. He has taught at the school since it commenced in 2002 and previously taught in Sydney (Australia) and London (United Kingdom). He spent 10 years as the Dean of USC’s International Program 2010-2020. He is currently the President of the Economic Teacher’s Society of South Australia. In addition to his teaching load, he is also has a role organising and facilitating the USC Yr11 & 12 Mentoring Program at USC. Michael’s passion is working with and mentoring his students, early career teachers and experienced colleagues. At this stage of his career his goals include being as helpful as he can to these groups of people and helping them flourish. He loves nothing more than time with his family and friends, surfing and playing guitar; and walking the family dog with his wife. In 2023 Michael and his USC colleague (Sam Franzway) were part of the YEE HIP Pilot in Adelaide with their Society & Culture and Business Innovation students – they are back in 2024 to ‘do it all again’!

Sam Franzway is an early-career teacher of English and Humanities at University Senior College (USC) in Adelaide, South Australia. Before Sam became a teacher, he worked in the Graduate and Student Academic Assistance units at Flinders University, and the University of South Australia. This experience, in addition to two Masters degrees and a PhD, has informed his passion for teaching English, Humanities, and research skills in the senior school environment. Sam is also a writer, comedian, and photographer. He publishes two podcasts: Why Teach? Australia and Just Going For A Drive. In Why Teach?, Sam interviews experienced teachers about why they became a teacher, their experiences in schools, and what advice they would give themselves when they first started out. Just Going For a Drive is a comedy podcast about Sam’s hobby of cars and driving. In 2023, Sam and his USC colleague (Michael Jacobsen) were part of the YEE HIP Pilot in Adelaide with their Society and Culture, and Business Innovation students – they are back in 2024 to ‘do it all again’!

Gabby Ireland. Hi, I’m Gabby, a University Senior College student. I am currently studying Business Innovation, Economics, English Literacy Studies, Philosophy and Legal Studies in year 12. I am very passionate about Economics and Business and last year (2023) I received the merit award for my HIP Business Innovation ideas. I have recently moved to Adelaide, from Queensland, after joining USC in year 11. My passions outside of school include horse riding, playing video games and hanging out with friends and family. I am very excited to continue my Business ideas in 2024 and enjoy year 12.

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