Bree Seibel has taught more than 800 students across Queensland and left her mark on several communities.
Bree first began her teaching career in the Torres Strait on Mabuiag Island, where she stayed for two and a half years and then transferred six times to take advantage of the department’s opportunities that allow its workforce to be mobile.
Having travelled more than 20,000 kilometres across Queensland, teaching has allowed Bree to connect with communities throughout the
Far North Queensland region.
She has spent time in the small Cape town of Bamaga and as well as in primary and secondary schools in Cairns and the Daintree.
You could say she had become somewhat of a ‘northern nomad’, but Bree has also ventured down south and taught in the inner-city suburbs of West End, Bulimba and South Brisbane.
Forging new relationships
One thing she has learned over her teaching career is that you can make anywhere home and the best way to do that is by forging relationships with members of the school community you are teaching in.
It all starts with knowing your students and remembering the things that they tell you, because they will become conversation starters with their parents and shows them you care.
She also suggests teachers support their community and local businesses by volunteering and attending events. The smaller the community, the greater level of importance this will play.
While teaching remote, Bree would visit her local Anglican church every Sunday, even though she isn’t religious, and bring the church goers baked goods so they would have something to accompany their tea and coffee after the service.
Teaching isn’t just a job
For Bree, teaching isn’t just a job, it is her life. This isn’t to say teaching has taken over her life, but the threads that connect her to places, experiences and people all weave into the fact that she is a teacher.
“I have made lifelong friends, met my partner, Mick, and have embraced challenges and adventure both professionally and personally.” Bree said.