Kylie Johnston
Third-year teacher Kylie Johnston moved from the east coast to central Australia, more than 1000km from the sea, and found a land of opportunity.
The 25-year-old hasn’t looked back since she made the shift to Yuendumu, where she teaches students in Years 7 to 9.
“I feel like I’m making more of a difference—and I make $5000 more a year here,” she says.
“I have much more say in how I deliver the curriculum and more responsibility. You can reach the senior teacher wage in five years and there are more opportunities for advancement in the NT if you do a good job.”
As a remote teacher, Kylie also has access to additional benefits such as an isolation allowance, special study and business leave, free housing, up to three airfares a year, and reimbursement of freight costs.
Kylie said she’s enjoying being part of the community and developing strong relationships with her students and their families.
“It does take a lot of hard work to break the ice with the kids and the assistant teacher, but you keep trying—and now my kids hug me! They’re really responsive. … and they work hard for you. And education is important and valued by the rest of the community.”
Another benefit for Kylie has been the resourcing and support available to her.
“The resources at the school are absolutely fantastic,” she says. “I’ve walked into a classroom that has an interactive whiteboard and as soon I set foot in the Territory I got a laptop.
There’s a lot of resources available—basically as long as you can justify it.
“Once or twice a term I go to Alice Springs. I’ve found the conditions are very flexible. Also, other staff are very supportive. For example, the department has things in place where you can ring the psychologist, you can ring to get help with programming. You ring the department and they’ll email you and mentor you.”
For more information, go to www.teaching.nt.gov.au
Moving inland gives Kylie new horizons
Kylie Johnston
Third-year teacher Kylie Johnston moved from the east coast to central Australia, more than 1000km from the sea, and found a land of opportunity.
The 25-year-old hasn’t looked back since she made the shift to Yuendumu, where she teaches students in Years 7 to 9.
“I feel like I’m making more of a difference—and I make $5000 more a year here,” she says.
“I have much more say in how I deliver the curriculum and more responsibility. You can reach the senior teacher wage in five years and there are more opportunities for advancement in the NT if you do a good job.”
As a remote teacher, Kylie also has access to additional benefits such as an isolation allowance, special study and business leave, free housing, up to three airfares a year, and reimbursement of freight costs.
Kylie said she’s enjoying being part of the community and developing strong relationships with her students and their families.
“It does take a lot of hard work to break the ice with the kids and the assistant teacher, but you keep trying—and now my kids hug me! They’re really responsive. … and they work hard for you. And education is important and valued by the rest of the community.”
Another benefit for Kylie has been the resourcing and support available to her.
“The resources at the school are absolutely fantastic,” she says. “I’ve walked into a classroom that has an interactive whiteboard and as soon I set foot in the Territory I got a laptop.
There’s a lot of resources available—basically as long as you can justify it.
“Once or twice a term I go to Alice Springs. I’ve found the conditions are very flexible. Also, other staff are very supportive. For example, the department has things in place where you can ring the psychologist, you can ring to get help with programming. You ring the department and they’ll email you and mentor you.”
For more information, go to www.teaching.nt.gov.au