Strong community connections and a sense of belonging are extremely important to Assistant Director Nadia Tarnoveaau. She shares with us what this means for her and what she is doing in her local community to develop these bonds.
Being an Assistant Director at Goodstart Wulagi is more than work for me. I am really passionate about early education. I love every single day; it doesn’t even feel like working to me… it’s a joy.
Last year I received a Goodie Award for my passion and the way I inspire, support and motivate the colleagues and children at my centre.
It’s rewarding to get an award like this from an organisation I am so proud to be part of. But it comes with responsibility. I want to be an even better role model for my colleagues. I try to develop myself in every role possible, and learn something new every day.
My colleagues say they learn a lot from me, but I learn just as much from them… and from the children.
What I love most is listening and sharing experiences with others. It’s a circle of learning - educators to the children, children to the educators… everyone is learning from each other, regardless of their background or role at the centre. I feel a responsibility to help give children every learning opportunity they deserve. We have strong community connections with the Larrakia People (Traditional Owners) here at Wulagi. We work closely with local groups to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student trainees at the centre, with our intern has taken on a permanent role while she completes her studies. This sense of giving back to the community is very important to me.
One third of our children and three employees at the centre are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. I have worked in different countries and cultures, and value being part of a welcoming, diverse community like we have at Wulagi. We all need to feel like we belong. The best part of my job is that the children see me as one of their team.
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