The Rural and Remote Teacher Experience Program is a departmental initiative that provides current state school teachers with a taste of what it’s like to teach and live in a rural or remote community. Through this week-long visit to a rural or remote school, teachers get a 'sneak peek' into teaching and living in a rural or remote community, which means teachers can 'try before they buy' so-to-speak.
For one of our wonderful teachers Sarah Lions, the program completely changed the trajectory of her life and career.
'My partner and I had spoken about having our children and then taking them on an adventure. We knew we wanted 3 things for our life: to enjoy our work, to have more time with our children whilst they are young and to live as close as we can to the sea,' Sarah shares.
A few of Sarah’s colleagues had shared their experiences and spoke highly of the opportunities provided by rural and remote schools.
'I was always interested in going rural and remote to gain some experience and asked my principal about my options. He suggested I look into the Rural and Remote Teacher Experience Program.'
The Rural and Remote Teacher Experience Program provided Sarah with a unique opportunity to spend a week living and teaching on Thursday Island in Far North Queensland, no strings attached.
'The night I arrived on Thursday Island I decided to have pizza for dinner. Before I knew it, I had joined a table of staff from Tagai State College, all of whom were extremely welcoming. We then spoke about some of the staff going on a boat tour the next day, a few phone calls were made and before I knew it, I was getting a photo with the sign of the most northerly point of Australia, enjoying a cool drink on Roko Island and forming relationships I still have today.'
After a wonderful week, leaving the fast-paced lifestyle on the Sunshine Coast was a no brainer for this family, so when an offer from Tagai arose, it was as simple as 'let’s go'.
Sarah said the process was easy, and her family's move was seamless.
'We feel like we have been given the gift of time here on Malu Kiwai. We enjoy fishing and boating on the weekends and I am really enjoying teaching K–2.'
The
Rural and Remote Teacher Experience Program is open to current Queensland state school teachers based in the Metropolitan, South East or North Coast regions.