Where Are They Now? Grace’s Story

Welcome back to a new instalment of Teach Learn Grow’s series Where Are They Now? Stories of TLG Alumni . This edition features Grace Giglia-Smith, a former TLG volunteer who has shared with us how her passion for teaching and experiences with Teach Learn Grow gave her the confidence to take a leap of faith and start her career in rural WA.

Grace (bottom right) baking at Avonvale Primary School

Since graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2019 with a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, Grace’s life has changed considerably. For the last year she has been living in Esperance,  teaching a ‘wonderful’ class of Year 1 students at a local primary school. Having been born in Perth and living here her whole life, Grace expressed what an exceptional opportunity working in Esperance has been. ‘I was offered the job last year and I decided to take the leap and uproot my life in Perth to try something new and exciting,’ she said.  

Grace’s involvement with TLG started in 2017 when she volunteered on her first Rural Program to Gnowangerup, in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. Recalling the trip, she expressed that she ‘absolutely loved it,’ and spoke of the supportive community within and surrounding the school. ‘TLG had formed an incredible bond with the Principal, as well as the other staff, and the children were thrilled to have us there. It was definitely a great experience.’

Among some of her favourite memories of volunteering with TLG, Grace listed the activities played with students during recess and lunch breaks, including Little White Pony, a well-known game to many TLG volunteers. One notable experience that stood out for Grace was working with a student who ‘couldn’t count to 10 when I first met him and by the end of the week, after lots of games and activities, he could count all the way to 20!’

Grace (centre crouching) in Gnowangerup with other tutors on TLG’s Rural Program

Grace participated in a second Rural Program last year to Avonvale Primary School in Northam. During these programs she found herself surprised at the extent of educational inequalities experienced by rural and remote Australian communities. ‘This was in Northam,’ she said, ‘and while [Northam] was considerably closer to Perth than Gnowangerup, the education gap was still prevalent. It was an eye-opening experience in regards to the educational needs of all children, regardless of how close or far they are from metro schools.’ 

When asked how volunteering with TLG influenced her decision to pursue a career in teaching, Grace replied, ‘I have always loved teaching and learning alongside younger students which is why I embarked on early childhood education. However, TLG inspired me to consider working for rural and remote schools, which I evidently did, and I could not be happier!’ 

Grace also shared some of the unique situations present in regional schools which she did not anticipate. ‘In the beginning it was difficult, I didn’t quite know what to expect, but it has worked out really well. I am in love with the school, the children in it and the support that the parents and community provide for us. Each day brings its own challenges; many of the children live out of town, which means a hefty bus ride each morning and afternoon. Due to this, I think it is so important that school is engaging and that the children really want to come to school, as this is half the battle. Happy students have a better chance with attendance… The stats show that education is the only way to move forward, however it comes down to getting the children to school where they can then embark on the learning journey.’

Looking back at her experiences volunteering with TLG and working in Esperance, Grace encouraged university students to consider teaching in regional communities across Australia. ‘There are so many rewards to working rural or regional,’ she said. ‘There’s the close-knit relationships you form with the children, their families and the wider community, as well as being able to really focus the teaching on what the children need and want to learn about.’

Grace (far left, second-row) and TLG tutors preparing to travel to Gnowangerup District High School

Going forward, Grace continues to look for ways to make the classroom a place for fun and engaging learning. ‘There are so many factors that contribute to a child’s learning, like being happy, healthy and safe, that need to be addressed before they can fully engage in learning… I try to make sure that my classroom is somewhere that the children come to be safe, to form a love of learning, and want to come back to.’

TLG is proud to have amazing alumni and volunteers like Grace who are devoted to helping make a difference within Australian communities.