The Teacher Feature is meant to highlight our current teachers. We have an amazingly diverse staff and we encourage you to get to know them!

Janina Mitchell

1. What class or classes do you teach?

3B

2. How long have you been working at Northpine?

This year is 6 years.

3. How did you first discover you wanted to be a teacher?

During church gatherings, my sister and I would frequently look after the smaller children. I enjoyed being around them and the fun we would have together. Teaching was the first, second and third choice on my UNI application forms and God led me to the correct place.

4. Where are you originally from?

Born and bred Brisbanite

5. What might we be surprised to know about you?

I’m a lighthouse and naval sailing ship nerd. My travel is usually focused on finding lighthouses and of course climbing up them.

6. If you could time travel, where and when would you go?

Ancient Egypt. No – Ancient Rome, the Napoleonic Wars? It’s too hard!!

7. What’s one great book or movie you’ve read or seen recently?

I am constantly reading. I read too many books to choose anything specific. However, I do love a good documentary. The most interesting one I’ve watched recently is ‘Chasing Ice.’ It is about photographing the decline of glaciers. It’s so fascinating!

8. Which person, directly or indirectly, has inspired you the most?

My Father. During his lifetime he faced so many challenges. He faced them with grace and dignity right up until he died. He loved his Lord, his family, serving people and having a good laugh. I try to face life as gracefully as he did.

9. What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?

My sister and I like to go on epic road trips. My favorite one so far was traveling through the South Island of New Zealand. I took so many beautiful pictures. My sister got sick of stopping every five seconds for the perfect picture. We went on a Lord of The Rings Tour from Queenstown. The scenery was so amazing!

10. What is the best advice that you can give to your students?

Don’t give up. It’s not – “I don’t know” – its “I don’t know yet.” Learn from your mistakes. I want them to leave my classroom knowing that I believe in them and they are loved by me and by Jesus.