For Hannah, becoming a teacher was always connected to the goal of making a difference in regional, rural and remote communities.

After graduating from the University of Newcastle in 2025, primary teacher Hannah has relocated to the Riverina to begin her teaching career at Darlington Point Public School. Here, she brings her passion for rural education and a strong belief that every child deserves a great teacher. ‘I always wanted to teach rural,’ Hannah said. ‘That’s why I became a teacher.’

Hannah’s enthusiasm for teaching beyond her coastal home was strengthened during her university years through the Beyond the Line Program, which gave her the opportunity to experience teaching and community life across regional, rural and remote NSW. In her words, ‘joining the Beyond the Line Program really solidified it for me and confirmed that this was where I wanted to be.’

Following the program, Hannah completed a 10-week professional experience placement in Term 3 at Dubbo South Public School through the Rural Professional Experience Program. Returning to a school she visited on the Beyond the Line Program made the experience even more special for Hannah. The placement provided more than just classroom experience. With accommodation provided and other pre-service teachers completing placements at the same time, Hannah thrived and quickly became part of the school community.

The experience left a lasting impression. ‘I loved my placement and in ten weeks you build a connection with all the kids,’ Hannah noted. With this in mind, she stayed on for Term 4, eager to gain more classroom experience before applying for full-time roles.

Following this and ready to explore a new area, Hannah began seeking employment, regularly checking JobFeed and reaching out to principals across the state. One of those emails led her to Darlington Point Public School. Through her communication with the principal, Hannah trusted her instincts, reporting that 'sight unseen, I said yes. I just thought that’s somewhere I want to be.’

For Hannah, teaching in a small rural school has been an incredibly rewarding start to her career. Her ability to gain independence and the close relationships she has developed across a small school and community have clarified that this was the right choice.

Reflecting on her pathway so far, Hannah encourages pre-service and early career teachers to explore teaching across the state. She believes saying 'yes' to opportunities can be life changing. Hannah says ‘you’re more than capable and if you want something you’ve just got to go for it.’

With the opportunity to develop her practice and having strong community support around her, Hannah is quickly developing her capacity as an early career teacher. For the students of Darlington Point Public School, her decision to make the move is already making a difference.