Find out how a young SA teacher is using her own personal experience to help new educators settle into country schools – and thrive.
“I didn’t know anybody when I moved over, and I needed that connection,” Rachel says.
When Rachel Dennis moved from Adelaide to Port Lincoln at just 22, she had no idea how much of an impact her decision would have – not only on her own career but also on dozens of early-career teachers across regional South Australia.
Now, she’s using her experience to help new teachers find their place in the community, just as she did.
Building a community, one teacher at a time
Rachel recently won the Excellence in Support of Early Career Teachers award at the Public Education Awards.
She currently juggles dual roles as Early Career Teacher (ECT) Lead for Port Lincoln 1 portfolio and ECT Facilitator for Orbis and an in-class mentor at Cummins Area School. According to the judges, she excels in both roles.
For Rachel, her overarching aim is making sure teachers in their first couple of years in the classroom feel supported, connected, and ready to take on the challenges of teaching in a regional setting.
“I do what I know I needed when I was an early career teacher,” she says. And that means going above and beyond to make sure no teacher feels alone.
Supporting teachers across the region
Rachel knows that working in the country can feel isolating. She works with around 25 ECT’s spread across a region spanning more than 220km.
“I had to get really creative about how to make our connections meaningful,” she says.
During term time, she uses regular virtual check-ins to help teachers feel supported and less isolated
During school holidays, Rachel conducts in-person workshops that focus on practical skills and relationship-building.
“It’s really reassuring for them to know they’re not the only ones going through what they’re going through,” she says.
“These workshops aren’t just about professional development – they’re also about building friendships, sharing ideas and feeling part of something bigger.”
Why the country?
For Rachel, there are two key reasons: “One, it’s such a good opportunity for our early career teachers because you get so many more professional opportunities when you’re in the country, versus being in a city,” she says.
“And two: it’s also that connection they have to their students, to their community, to the people within their community that’s so important. Being in that community really enhances the job.”
Rachel also says regional teaching allows teachers to tailor lessons to the local community. In Rachel’s region, where agriculture is a huge part of life, Rachel encourages teachers to connect their lessons to what students see every day.
“Students will get interested if they see what they’re learning is meaningful to their own lives,” she says. “And then your learning just takes off from there.”
Her advice to young teachers is to “step outside of your comfort zone, experience a new place, and the benefits will be huge – not only for your personal growth but your professional career as well”.
“The support provided in regional schools is great; you become an integral part of the community, which in turn offers a strong sense of care and support.”
Making a real impact
Rachel’s ultimate goal is simple: To help early career teachers feel at home in the country so they not only stay but are happy there.
“The way that we do that is through connection,” she says.
“When teachers want to be where they are and feel connected to the town, they’re going to thrive. And when teachers are thriving, students thrive.”
Rachel’s story is just one example of the incredible work being done by educators across South Australia.
The Department of Education’s Public Education Awards celebrate these achievements, highlighting individuals and teams who are making a significant impact in their communities.
To read more inspiring stories of this year’s winners and finalists, visit the Public Education Awards website.
