Community
7 June, 2023
Making a difference
Graduate teacher wants to inspire and grow Indigenous children
TAFE Queensland graduate Jessica Addo wants to break down barriers to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience positive learning environments.
Miss Addo, 30, gained a Diploma of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education at the TAFE Queensland Cairns campus via RATEP.
RATEP is a community-based education and early childhood education program designed to provide a direct pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to become registered teachers, qualified teacher aides or early childhood educators.
“It has always been my passion to become a primary school teacher because I want to help make a difference in children’s lives,” Miss Addo said.
“I was born and raised in Cairns and I identify as both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
“From my mother’s side, our family is connected with Yarrabah and I have family on my father’s side at Mornington Island, but my deepest contact with community is through my grandmother at Mapoon,” she said.
Miss Addo said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators brought valuable community and cultural knowledge to education settings.
“These educators play a significant role in their communities because they have a deep understanding of the local context, languages, histories and cultures,” Miss Addo said.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children love seeing people from their own culture work in classrooms because they connect naturally. Having a teacher who can speak their language makes a positive impact and creates close relationships,” she said.
Miss Addo said enrolling at TAFE Queensland and participating in RATEP was one of the best decisions she ever made.
“Before enrolling, I was working a full-time job and did not have the capacity to study, but I was so determined to follow my goals that I resigned and found part-time employment so I could start my training,” Miss Addo said.
“Sometimes you need to make sacrifices. It all comes down to how badly you want something and the belief that your hard work will pay off,” she said.
Miss Addo’s dedication has earned her a regional Queensland Training Award nomination in the Vocational Student of the Year category, with the winner to be announced on July 7.
