Unlike many teachers who take inspiration from their teacher parents, education wasn't in the family for Matt Smith.
After a career change and a move up north with his wife and kids in tow, Matt has found his groove teaching Year 4 at
Western Cape College in Weipa.
It's a far cry from his former life living and working on the Sunshine Coast.
'I had been working between 50 and 60 hours a week in retail as a butcher,' Matt said.
'I was doing 2 or 3 weekends at work a month.'
Matt loved being around his kids from the moment he and his wife started their family and soon discovered a knack for helping children learn and managing their behaviour.
'When my son was 4, I started coaching his soccer team and got a good sense of how much I enjoyed working with kids,' Matt said.
'After coaching and mentoring apprentices for years, I found that kids were fun to work with and are natural learners.'
Before long, a teaching career was in Matt's sights.
'I was sick of not being around my family due to work commitments, so decided to pursue teaching.'
Matt was offered his permanent role at Western Cape College after going to both the
Teach Rural Career Fair and Teach Queensland Career Fair in 2018.
'My favourite part of being a teacher is playing a role in facilitating a student's understanding,' Matt said.
'It's all worth it when you see they understand and you can't help but smile.'
Matt and his wife had decided to look for a teaching opportunity in a remote community to try to ensure permanency.
But job security has not been the only perk Matt and his family have found from their remote change.
A lifestyle change
'The best part of moving remote has been the lifestyle change,' Matt said.
'We experience things every week that people in the cities save thousands of dollars and wait 11 months of the year for.'
'I applied for a position in Weipa in particular because of the facilities in the local area—with a young family, it was important to have access to things like a hospital and pharmacy,' Matt said.
Matt and his family have found everything they need in Weipa.
'Living in Weipa is pretty cool,' Matt said.
'There are all the major services you need, like supermarkets, hardware stores, restaurants and so on, alongside community spaces, such as the pool, library, sporting grounds, walking tracks and parks.'
'We bought a boat not long after we arrived, which has opened up the option of exploring the local area from the water,' Matt said.
'Fishing is very popular up here, with some awesome facilities.'
New cultures and different backgrounds
'In hindsight, part of the reason we decided to go remote was definitely the experience of new surroundings, people and culture,' Matt said.
'It gives our kids a completely different perspective on people and cultures than they would otherwise get still living on the Sunshine Coast.'
'There are so many different cultures up here just in this area,' Matt said.
'I think it will really help our kids to grow and become more open-minded people.'
'There is a real mix of kids who have lived in Weipa their whole lives and those who have been transient due to their parents' careers,' Matt said.
'It is inspirational how well they all accept each other.'
Community connections
'Moving to Weipa has been a fantastic experience for the whole family,' Matt said.
'The greatest challenge of living remotely is of course being away from our broader families but terms are only 10 weeks long!'
'We have all settled in well and made connections within the community,' Matt said.
Matt's wife was also able to find work in Weipa.
'She has taken up a role as a Business Manager at Western Cape College,' Matt said.
Reduced commute (and better traffic!)
'The commute to work is a very strenuous one… we are separated from the school grounds by a walkway!' Matt said.
'So we don't spend much money on fuel.'
'The kicker is there are no traffic lights and only three roundabouts in town!' Matt said.
Teacher support
'There's so much collegial teacher support around me—you're certainly not left feeling like you can't ask something,' Matt said.
'The school admin team is really friendly and approachable and didn't place unrealistic expectations on me when I was in my first year.'
Matt's advice
If you're considering a remote change yourself, Matt said it's important to be organised.
'Some advice for other people going through the process is to get sorted early so your belongings are waiting for you when you arrive in your new town,' Matt said.
Matt encouraged people to make the most of the remote teaching adventure.
'Research the area you are interested in and have a go at something different,' Matt said.
'Back on the Sunshine Coast, I rarely fished or went camping… I love to surf and swim in the ocean but for obvious reasons, it's not a good idea up here!'
'So I consciously decided to try something new,' Matt said.
'I bought a boat, a 4-wheel drive and a bunch of camping gear, which has allowed us to experience some awesome places that not a lot of people get to see.'
Despite the incredible opportunities that await in remote locations, Matt said it's okay to get out when you have time off.
'Living remote can feel like a fishbowl after time, so use your holidays to see family or have them visit,' Matt said.
'If you are content in your personal life and maintain strong relationships with those at home, you'll be happier and the kids in your classroom will benefit from your positive headspace.'
Finally, Matt urged people to learn as much as possible while teaching and living remotely.
'When you're not in front of the class, take the time to reverse the roles and learn from your students, their families and the wider community,' Matt said.
'It's a great opportunity to grow personally.'
Reckon you've got the chops to teach remote too?
Submit your application now to teach with us in some of the most beautiful places in the world.