Media Release (6 March 2008)
Teacher's Aid Graduates
In 2002, Kylie Clarke was living in Darwin working as a teacher’s aid and contemplating whether or not to return to study to obtain a teaching degree.
This decision was decided when she came across an advertisement in the Koori Mail offering Indigenous people Monash University scholarships. She applied and was successful in receiving the scholarship which paved the way into Monash University Gippsland.
Now living in Morwell, Kylie recently graduated from Monash University Gippsland with a Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Sport and Outdoor Recreation.
Her career path has revolved around Indigenous Education and is something Kylie hopes will continue into the future.
Her immediate plans are to fulfil her contract as the Koorie Literacy & Numeracy teacher at Morwell Primary School and to travel South America at the end of the year.
“Beyond that, I’d like to teach in remote Aboriginal communities specialising in ESL (English as Second Language).”
Furthermore, she would like to pursue her commitment to Koorie Education in Victoria, whether it’s in the classroom, at a community level or devising and implementing policy and programs at a Department level.
With a passion for Indigenous culture, education and performing/visual arts, she would love create and implement cultural educational programs for children. “I’d hope to visit primary schools and share Aboriginal stories, art, music, dance and culture with all children and provide a collection of Indigenous stories, activities, art work and music resources for teachers and schools,” she says, highlighting the need for Australian culture in school.
Throughout her years at Monash Gippsland, Kylie’s achievements and dedication to the Aboriginal culture have been highlighted with many awards, including the Blue Stocking Indigenous Women’s Scholarship for her commitment to Indigenous leadership in the Latrobe Valley, an Indigenous Scholarship for Excellence for high academic achievement, and many other prestigious awards.
Around 170 students from the Latrobe Valley graduated from Monash University Gippsland this semester, in a broad range of study areas.
“Being a small university within a rural setting, Monash Gippsland was very much a community of its own,” Kylie said. “There was always a familiar face to be seen whether it were friend in my course, a person I met at a function the week before or a lecturer who knew my name and made themselves available when I needed assistance. I couldn’t imagine being as comfortable and settled at an urban campus.”
Monash Gippsland would like to congratulate all graduates on their success, and wish them the best of luck for the future.
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