Mater moments

Textiles and Art teacher, Ingrid Schmidt arrived at her dream job later in life.

After running her own dressmaking business for 25years, followed by some time out to raise her daughter, Ingrid began a Bachelor of Creative Arts Degree, as a mature aged student in 2015. When she finished the course, she wanted to share the joy she gets from creating things with others. 

“I experience joy when I create something. I wanted others to experience that too. Afterall, the world needs more joy!” 

Ingrid completed a Master of Teaching in 2019 and took her first teaching post at Mater Christi this year. Her love of art and teaching shines through in her classrooms with many students showing their appreciation for her support and dedication.

“Miss Schmidt’s garment making experience has been incredibly helpful. She even helped draft a pattern piece for the bodice of my dress and was willing to jump on zoom at 5 o’clock one Saturday afternoon because I couldn’t figure out how to cut out my pattern piece” - Cassidy  

“The dress I made needed a zipper, which I had never done before. Miss Schmidt walked me through the process, which was a big help. Even though I bought the wrong zipper, Miss Schmidt showed me how to make it work and it turned out better than I expected” - Cloe

Ingrid teaches Year 11 & 12 Product Design and Technology (garment production), Year 10 on the Runway (garment production), Year 9 To Dye For (fabric dying and textiles) and Year 8 Art - and she loves it all.

“I love teaching garment design and textiles to the older students because it’s so satisfying to be part of their creative process and to witness their amazing and inspiring ideas and I love being around the effervescent younger students in Year 8 Art.

Seeing a student twirl blissfully in the dress she made, seeing the face of a student when she was on the home stretch making her elegant gown, and seeing the justified pride younger students feel with the artwork they have produced – are the sorts of things that make my year.”

In her spare time, Ingrid enjoys spending time with her daughter, pottering in her garden, catching up with friends and family and, not surprisingly, messing around with fabric, paint, paper and beads.

She says she feels deep gratitude for the opportunity of working at Mater Christi.

“Working at a place with great people and wonderful resources and being trusted to do a good and thorough job, is a blessing. All the staff here go the extra mile – it’s really nice working with people with that mindset.”. 

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