Where are they now? Kim’s Story

Welcome to another issue of Where Are They Now? Stories of TLG Alumni. This issue is an opportunity to showcase what TLG is all about, working passionately to bridge the gap in rural education!

Kim Wade-Wear is a Teacher in Rural Western Australia, a past TLG volunteer and executive team member. Kim started volunteering with TLG in 2019 when she went on Rural Program to Cue Primary School. She spent her time with TLG in many different roles. First as a program volunteer, then executive member and rural program coordinator.

Kim (sitting second from right) Coordinating TLG Summer Program 2021 to East Kalgoorlie Primary School

Kim was part of the education team, where she worked alongside other exec team volunteers to provide training to TLG tutors and coordinators, creating resources and worksheets for rural programs and being there to support everyone with education-related matters throughout the Rural Programs.

During the 2020 Summer Rural Program when Kim went to East Kalgoorlie Primary School, there was a student there who she had tutored previously at another TLG school. Kim had the opportunity to be a mentor and work with them again. Not only was Kim able to tutor them again through TLG, but after receiving a job at East Kalgoorlie Primary School, Kim was able to teach them and further continue this unique and special experience. She speaks of this being her ‘ultimate TLG memory’ and having the opportunity to see this student grow up and have the opportunity to see the difference that TLG makes as a tutor/coordinator, and also a teacher.

Kim with East Kalgoorlie Student James during TLG Summer Program 2021

Kim now works at a high school in far north WA. She credits TLG as having impacted her life in many ways. “TLG gave me lots of experience working with kids in rural and remote schools, from different communities and different cultures. I got to learn different ways to approach teaching and learning, and TLG is also the reason I got my first teaching job at East Kalgoorlie Primary School”.

Not only did TLG impact Kim’s teaching career, but she also had the opportunity to meet and bond with people from all walks of life, making lifelong friends.

Having spent time as a tutor and coordinator at multiple TLG Rural Programs and then also experiencing the impact of TLG firsthand as a teacher, I asked Kim about the impact TLG has on the students and the schools. “For most of our kids, they come from big families and to give them that opportunity to have one on one mentoring and support to grow individually and academically has an impeccable impact on their confidence and educational outcomes”.

Kim explains that rural towns have so much to offer, and it extends beyond the classroom and your work. "Yes, you see the impact on the kids in these rural and remote schools, but it also has an impact on you! Immersing yourself in the culture that surrounds you, talk to the locals, meet the people living around you, and get involved". Kim says that everyone has “welcomed me into the town and was so excited that I am here”.

Image 1: Kim with East Kalgoorlie PS Students, Image 2: Kim with Student James, Image 3: Kim with fellow teaching colleagues at East Kalgoorlie PS, Image 4: Kim with friend and TLG Exec Member Ruby

*All images sources from East Kalgoorlie Primary School Facebook and Teach Learn Grow Social Media

The biggest advice Kim has for teachers or those considering working rurally is to “just give it a go”. She emphasises just how rewarding it is working in a rural/remote school, “seeing the impact that we (as teachers) have on the students is very much worth it, the students have so much pride in their culture and their school, and they are always excited to share that with new people”.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Kim for sharing her story with us – which you can listen to more of on our podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/3u0aAyfT03AxAbydd9MPDh?si=50Gmu3hZSvKt3sAaZS4Vvw

If you know anyone with an inspiring story to be featured in an upcoming Where are they Now? article, reach out to TLG’s marketing team at marketing@teachlearngrow.org.au

Written by TLG’s Multimedia Officer - Ruby Martin