Teacher returns support to her community

CAROLINE Tarran was part of a recent group of First Nations teachers to graduate from Bendigo TAFE.

Keen to pay it forward, she now works as a community services teacher at the TAFE.

“While I was in my role as Koorie liaison officer, my manager Lee-Anne Habel told me she believed in her staff doing professional development and encouraged me to do the teacher training course,” Ms Tarran said.

“It was an Indigenous cohort so that made it more special. I felt comfortable in the class and I felt that we all supported each other.”

Ms Tarran said her career is very important to her because she wants to feel she is effectively giving back to the Indigenous community.

“Community services is an important part of our society, and my role is about passing on education and knowledge while providing that cultural lens,” she said.

“It allows my students to feel safe and ask me questions that they may not be able to ask another teacher or Aboriginal person.

“It allows me to support and assist people, equipping them to be the next generation of community services workers.

“I’m also continually learning from my students. It’s education and discussion, and a lot can be learned from both ends.”

As a result, Ms Tarran said she feels privileged to do the work she’s now undertaking.

“My students have lived experience and work experience, and the training I’m delivering is allowing them to get a qualification to expand opportunities within their own roles or move up to management,” she said.

“I love giving our First Nations people the opportunity to study, breaking down the barriers and questions.

“It’s also about enabling them to gain confidence that will in turn help them grow in their own work in servicing our First Nations community.”