Individual residencies / Andorra
ANGE FITZGERALD
From Monday, 12 September 2022 to Wednesday, 28 September 2022
Bio
Dr. Angela Fitzgerald is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Southern Queensland and a Principal of a small rural secondary school in the state of Victoria, which is located in the south-eastern corner of Australia. She is internationally recognised for her work as a primary science/STEM education researcher, which has broadly focused on improving the confidence and competence of pre- and in-service teachers in this field. Equally, she is recognised as a motivational leader who seeks to promote the professional practice of her colleagues through relevant and meaningful professional learning activities. Angela is an innovative qualitative researcher who use video ethnography and documentary filmmaking as data collection process and story telling tools.
Project
While at Faber, I will be working on a manuscript. I have a contract with Springer to complete this book by the end of 2022. This product is a result of a nationwide project focused on exploring what primary science education looks like and how it is enacted in Australian initial teacher education programs. The major contribution of this book is to provide an evidence-based response to how ‘classroom-readiness’ translates into the preparation of future teachers of science. This contemporary understanding will be juxtapositioned against international narratives with the intention to shift perceptions of primary science education from a deficit model.
A home away from home
The Faber residency in Andorra was just the time and space I needed to think and write. What a joy, luxury and privilege to be able to disengage from regularly life and dive head long into a writing project. I was able to find a new rhythm and become productive within the ebbs and flows of Andorran life. Access to beautiful walks in the forest and the along the river were a particularly important element for feeling grounded and ready to write.
The residence itself is positioned in a lovely village outside of the main centre city. I really enjoyed living in La Massana as I felt connected to Andorran life and community. The village has everything you need and all within easy walking distance. The apartment was incredibly comfortable, peaceful and easy to live in. It provided a perfect context for setting up a positive and productive writing environment as well as a base to explore Andorra from.
Andorra, itself, was an amazing location to be based in. The green mountainous scenery was beautiful and inspiring. It was very easy to explore Andorra using the local bus pass that Faber kindly provide. I also appreciate the provision of a pass to the eight national museums, which was fun way to explore the different parts of the country and learn a lot about the history and culture of Andorra.
Meri was an incredible host. She was very generous with her time and knowledge. I really appreciated the efforts she went to in connecting me with the local community, in particular the university and a school. Meri had a great understanding of the balance of having time to focus on my own project and having opportunities to give back to the broader community. She is a fantastic ambassador for the Faber organisation and Andorra more broadly.
I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to spend two weeks at Faber Andorra. Not only was it a great opportunity to write in peace, but also regroup and find peace for myself.
