Teachers are the amongst the most important adults that young people will learn from in their formative years.
World Teachers Day will be celebrated across Queensland on 30 October - an opportunity to recognise the wonderful educators who play a vital role in helping students evolve into important contributors to our communities.
Kymberly Perks most enjoys making connections with Carinity Education Gladstone students and witnessing "the moments that can change the world for a lot of our young people".
"What inspires me to teach is having students excited to see me every day, the moments when you realise you get through to them, and the value you are adding to their life," Kymberly said.
Carinity Education specialises in supporting young people who had previously disengaged from school or faced barriers to learning. This style of alternative education attracted Kymberly to teach at the special assistance school.
"As a child, I felt like the school system did not provide for those who did not have the best start in life or were struggling in their learning journeys," Kymberly said.
"That drove me to make a difference. At Carinity, I'm able to create real and meaningful connections with students - and I feel this leads to holistic change for these students."
For Katrina Walker, teaching at Carinity Education Rockhampton is a challenge that she finds rewarding and worthwhile.
"I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of teaching and learning about people and understanding their journey," Katrina said.
"Knowing that students only have a limited amount of time at school, we must support them into growing into capable and respectful adults.
"It's amazing to hear students talk about how their schooling journey previous to attending Carinity had been so difficult - and how their attitude towards education has transformed to appreciation and belief in their ability to achieve success."
Teaching young women at Carinity Education Southside in Brisbane, Maddi Nicholson enjoys helping them to "overcome barriers to learning" and "support their personal and educational growth".
Maddi herself knows how young people can feel disengaged from learning, so she endeavours to help Southside students "develop the confidence and skills they need to achieve success and become independent learners."
"Students are often surprised to learn that I wasn't always confident and often struggled to stay motivated at school," Maddi said.
"Because of those experiences, I understand that learning can be challenging and I try to support my students in building confidence and finding their own path to success."
"My main hope would be seeing my students enter the world being confident and happy young adults ready to make their mark on which ever path they choose."
So says Lloyd Wimbus, a VET Trainer at Carinity Education Gladstone who enjoys "making a meaningful difference for young people who may not have had positive experiences in traditional education settings".
"I enjoy helping students overcome barriers, build confidence, and discover their strengths. Seeing students succeed in ways they may not have thought possible is incredibly rewarding," Lloyd said.
"I enjoy seeing my students gradually gain confidence, complete their work, and celebrate an achievement through projects they once thought was out of reach. Those moments remind me why education and positive support can be life changing."
Lisa Hegh also loves "seeing those 'lightbulb moments' when something suddenly makes sense" for students at Carinity Education Glendyne in Hervey Bay.
"It is especially rewarding to see a student become completely absorbed in learning, begin asking questions and develop a sense of curiosity about the world around them," Lisa explains.
"Most of all, I enjoy seeing young people realise that they are capable and that learning can be for them.
"My teaching is purposeful: every activity should have a clear reason and help students build knowledge, skills, confidence or curiosity about their world.
"I hope I have made a difference by helping students believe in themselves and recognise that their past experiences at school do not have to define their future."
