Emily Thomson says she always felt accepted and supported by her teachers and her parents, and this encouragement is what elevated her to success.
Ms Thomson, a year 4 teacher at Cronulla South Public School, wants to pass that gift on to her students.
‘‘I want all students to have opportunities to succeed and to learn what success feels like,’’ she says.
‘‘Experiencing success in primary school is an essential part of school and can have a huge impact on self worth.’’
Ms Thomson’s mother was a teacher, her father a social worker, and she says she ‘‘loved knowing they went to work every day with the aim to help people’’.
‘‘I always knew I wanted to teach and shape the minds of the future,’’ she says.
‘‘I wanted to make a difference in the lives of kids.’’
At the end of her second year of teaching studies, Ms Thomson’s
mother told her about the teaching scholarships available through the Department of Education for Aboriginal people studying to be teachers.
‘‘I sent off an application and attended an interview and then a few weeks later, received a phone call informing me I was a successful recipient,’’ Thomson says.
‘‘The scholarship meant I would receive an allowance of $5000 a year for the remaining two years of my degree, as well as $3000 at the beginning of my appointment.’’
As part of the scholarship, Ms Thomson was guaranteed a permanent full-time position at the conclusion of her degree.
‘‘Knowing I would have a position at the conclusion of my degree was a small comfort, however I worked even harder from that point to ensure I was ready for a full-time position straight out of university,’’ she says.
‘‘I completed my degree with a distinction average and finished in the top 10 per cent of my cohort.’’
With a keen interest in helping under-supported and at-risk youth,
Ms Thomson also works with a youth organisation in Sutherland Shire, Project Youth.
‘‘I work with at-risk youth, running after-school drop-in centres, doing outreach on the streets of Sutherland Shire, and working with youth living in crisis accommodation and transitional housing,’’ she says.
‘‘I enjoy helping develop the independence of the youth accessing our services.
‘‘Background shouldn’t affect aspirations or achievements; I want to show Aboriginal students that with the right support and given the opportunities, they can succeed in all areas of school and continue on to excellence at higher education.
“I am a living example.’’
