What will you be studying?

A graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching.

How did you hear about the Fraser Foundation?

My centre director was given Fraser Foundation information cards and excitedly passed it on to me.

How does it feel to be a recipient of a Fraser Foundation scholarship?

Receiving the Fraser Foundation scholarship feels special and honestly a bit surreal. It means a lot to have my hard work and passion for becoming a teacher recognised in this way.

It’s also taken a huge weight off my shoulders financially, which allows me to focus properly on my studies and getting the most out of my degree. I can put more time and energy into learning, building my skills and preparing to be the best teacher I can be.

More than anything, it’s made me feel even more motivated and certain that this is the right path for me. I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity, and it pushes me to keep working hard and to become a kind, supportive and confident teacher who can make a real difference in children’s lives..

What inspired you to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education?

I am deeply passionate about education and committed to making a meaningful difference in every child's life. I take great pride in creating fun, engaging and enriching experiences that foster a love for learning.

Building strong, authentic relationships with each child, and their families is at the heart of my approach. I believe it's often the small, thoughtful gestures that have the greatest impact and I strive to make every day special and safe for the children in my care. After working in the childcare industry and being in a lead educator role for many years, I wanted to push myself and extend my knowledge further.

What is the best and most challenging parts of working with young children?

The best part of working with young children, for me, is being able to see their growth over time. I love those small, everyday moments; like when a child finally understands something they’ve been trying to do, or when they come to you excited to share something. It’s special to know you’ve played a part in building their confidence and helping them feel safe and supported. I also love how honest and curious children are, they bring so much energy and joy, and no two days are ever the same.

The most challenging part is making sure I’m meeting the needs of every child. Some children need more support emotionally; some need help with communication and others might need extra encouragement to join in. There can also be moments where children are upset or showing challenging behaviours, and it can be hard knowing the best way to respond in that moment. I’ve learned that it takes a lot of patience, consistency and reflection to support them in the right way.

Even though it can be challenging, those experiences have helped me grow and become more understanding. They remind me why this role is so important, because the way we respond to children really shapes how they see themselves and the world around them.