FOR Tamie Douglas, teaching is not a job, it’s a calling.
The Aspiri Primary School education assistant spends each day working hard to improve oral language and reading skills, fluency and comprehension across the new school’s kindergarten and pre-primary classrooms, helping each individual to reach their potential.
“For me it’s about being there to support student development by forming relationships that are built on trust, respect and understanding,” she said.
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READ NOW“The classroom is where I feel I belong, I love supporting students to become independent and capable learners with a strong sense of identity, self worth and a good measure of resilience.”
Ms Douglas has been recognised for her dedication to the Aspiri Primary School students, named one of four finalists in the 2018 Education Awards’ Education Assistant of the Year category.
She said she was passionate about helping education assistants build their skills so they were better equipped to supporting learning.
“I believe that when we are fully included in classroom practices, such as understanding individual students’ learning goals, abilities and learning styles, and we fully understand the learning activity, common language and content, it leads to better educational outcomes for students, a more fulfilling role for the EA and better support for the teacher,” she said.
“Lots of people have asked me how I feel about being nominated for the Education Assistant of the Year award and I honestly don’t know what to say.
“I’m very excited, obviously, but most of all I’m honoured and humbled that Sheri (Evans-associate principal) and Noel (Morgan-principal) thought I was worthy of it.
“For me, I feel like I’m just doing my job. I love my job so I wake up every morning and go somewhere that makes me happy.
“The kids are amazing and they deserve the best of us, that’s enough of a reward for me.”