Hi my name is Michelle Wright-Baker. I have moved around a lot in my lifetime - born in Darwin, lived in Katherine, Esperance and Port Hedland.

Finally my parents decided to settle in Perth which is now home.

I attended high school in Perth and when I was in Year 11 did the Health Science Careers Camp at UWA as I thought I might do Medicine. After successfully completing my TEE studies I was not so sure about Medicine anymore. Having enjoyed maths and science in high school, I decided to enrol in the Bachelor of Science to keep my options open.

I successfully completed my Bachelor of Science, majoring in Maths and Human Biology. I was then at a crossroads... I had the choice of Honours in Human Biology or to study for a Graduate Diploma of Education to teach Science and Maths.

After long discussions with my family and friends, I decided on a Graduate Diploma of Education. During that year I applied and was awarded a Final Year Teaching scholarship from the Department of Education and Training. One condition of accepting this scholarship was that on completion of my studies, I would teach in a rural secondary school in Western Australia for three years.

In my graduate year, I taught Maths (Years 10, 11 and 12) at Pinjarra High School. Then I was transferred to Derby District High School where I have been teaching Maths (Years 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12) for the past 2 years.

It has been really rewarding to watch the students grow and improve their knowledge. I have enjoyed getting to know the students and see them progress especially the Year 8s - they have grown so much.

Next year I have been transferred to a northern suburbs school and will be teaching Maths there.