Staff Spotlight – Meet Rodney

Rodney Balent has spent 11 years at MMC leading IT and the Makerspace. He loves watching students grow from hesitant beginners into confident makers who sometimes teach him a thing or two. Outside school, he’s a self-described super nerd, movie buff, gardener and proud keeper of free-range guinea pigs. We spent five minutes chatting to him.

Full Name: Rodney Balent

Position: IT Manager / Makerspace

How long have you been at MMC? 11 years.

Where were you beforehand? Kilbreda College.

What do you love about working at MMC?

The people are what make this place special. I have worked in many schools over the years, and the staff here are among the most caring I have encountered. There is a genuine focus on the individual—you are valued as a person, not simply seen as part of a group.

What inspires you as a Montessori educator/team member?

One of the most rewarding parts of running the Makerspace is seeing students become excited about the same things that inspire me. It allows me to share the work I love with young people who are curious, enthusiastic and genuinely appreciate the experience.

What is your most memorable teaching moment?

Some students enter the Makerspace feeling hesitant and resistant, but over the course of a semester, I watch their confidence and skills grow. By the end, they are sometimes more advanced than I am in certain areas and begin teaching me a thing or two! Together, we achieve things I would not have been able to accomplish without their knowledge, creativity and support.

What are five interesting things about you we may not know?

1. I obtained my first IT qualification at age 10. I have been a super nerd for over 40 years.
2. I am a huge movie buff; I can tell you what movie is playing after just a few seconds of watching.
3. My Spotify playlists are extensive and highly organised. I joke that my second fulltime job is collecting and sorting music.
4. I am a mad gardener, I mow my lawns and a few of my neighbours just for fun, and I ask nothing in return for except for the clippings.
5. I have free range guinea pigs in my yard. They have an extensive setup of tunnels and hidden passages. I even made them lawn furniture.

What does your weekend look like?

Gardening and home improvements.

What is your favourite Maria Montessori Quote?

“The hands are the instruments of human’s intelligence.”