For teaching couple Nathan and Monica, attending our 2018 Teach Rural and Teach Queensland Career Fairs was about finding a place where they could truly make a difference.
‘We knew we wanted to go rural but weren’t set on a particular place,’ Nathan recalls. ‘After speaking with the principal of
Charleville State High School, we knew we’d found the right fit.’
They believe that ‘teaching is about developing relationships and living in a small town allows us to interact with kids in the community’ and their time in Charleville has only reinforced this perspective.
‘I’ve enjoyed the variety in my role, from teaching across multiple year levels to being involved in community events and extra-curricular activities… I’ve really valued the chance to build strong, meaningful relationships with students, families, and colleagues – something that’s especially special in smaller communities,’ Monica says.
Nathan has immersed himself in local life, playing various sports and taking on leadership roles in the community as President of the Little Athletics club, P&C Treasurer and Historical House Secretary. According to Nathan, ‘living in such a small community, you become engrained in the town.’
It’s also true that Charleville has embedded itself in the couple’s lives, after their two children were born in the local hospital, making the town an important part of their family’s history. In further testament to the community's appeal, both of their grandmothers have also moved to Charleville, further cementing their family's connection to the region.
Charleville has offered an array of career advancement opportunities too.
‘Since moving to Charleville, I have taken significant steps to advancing my career. Out west you get the chance to take on opportunities that you didn’t expect when you first moved,’ Nathan shares.
‘The key to success is having a good leadership team that support you on the leadership journey, but also have people that help inspire/challenge your own thinking to inspire change. Having professional coaches, leadership training and supportive cluster principals has made the job rewarding,’ he says.
From becoming year level coordinator to Head of Special Education Services (HOSES) and acting as Officer in Charge on numerous occasions, Nathan’s journey highlights the growth that is possible in regional communities. Now in a cluster HOSES role at
Charleville State School, he supports eight schools including those from the surrounding communities of Morven, Quilpie, Thargomindah, Eulo, Wyandra, Eromanga and Augathella, which he’s found incredibly rewarding.
‘I personally like the HOSES role because I get go to cluster schools and support teaching principals in small schools by providing expertise that can help change a kid’s life,’ he says.
Monica's experience has been equally enriching.
‘The most significant development in my teaching career has been the opportunity to work in a rural setting… We’re often required to wear many different hats, which has helped me build a broad range of skills beyond the classroom,’ she reflects.
It’s clear that coming to our Career Fair was pivotal to the couple finding a community that was the right fit for them. If you’re considering coming to a Career Fair, Nathan’s advice is simple.
‘Don’t put yourself in a box saying “I won’t go to that region.” Talk to everyone, make connections, see what they have to offer. Make sure that the community fits your circumstances and that you have interests in those communities.’
If you’re curious to find out where your teaching career could take you with just a simple conversation,
learn more about our Career Fairs.