When Natasha finished high school in a small coastal town, teaching wasn’t even on her radar. ‘I had no idea I wanted to be a teacher,’ she says. Natasha began her studies with a Bachelor of Communications, but a few elective classes in English literature changed everything.

‘I absolutely fell in love with studying literature. Teaching became a natural pathway from there as it allowed me to not only dive deeper into what I loved but also to give back in a meaningful way.’

Feeling drawn to support students and wanting to pass on her love of literature, Natasha made the switch to a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and History. At this point she knew teaching was the career for her and subsequently completed her Master of Teaching with the goal of making a difference in her students' lives. This postgraduate pathway allowed her to dive deeply into her passions while knowing she had a clear avenue into an education degree.

From the start, Natasha chose to study at the University of New England in Armidale where she experienced a new pace of life. Seeking a strong sense of community, slower pace and genuine connections, country life was an obvious choice for Natasha.

'When I moved to Armidale, I fell in love with the country lifestyle. I didn’t feel pulled back to the coast. I felt pulled to stay,' she recalls.

Natasha made a point of embracing every opportunity that came her way during her studies. She was awarded a teach.Rural Scholarship and joined the Beyond the Line Program. This decision was key to shaping her career direction.

‘I participated in the Beyond the Line study tour before accepting the scholarship and it was brilliant. It gave me the chance to visit a range of rural schools and really consider what kind of setting would be the best fit for me,’ she said.

Alongside her studies, Natasha began casual teaching to gain practical experience. Her advice to others studying an education degree is to follow her lead and explore as many opportunities as possible.

Natasha has now commenced a permanent appointment at Ashford Central School and hasn’t looked back. Her experience across rural schools while she studied, showed her that the central school structure was the perfect way to commence her career. Her highlight so far has been forming strong relationships with the students at her small school. Alongside this, the warm welcome she’s received from the school and town has made the transition even smoother.

Natasha’s story proves that when passion meets opportunity, a career in public education can lead to personal growth, lasting connections and a fulfilling career in rural NSW.

If you’re looking to make the move and teach in rural NSW, find out more by visiting the Choose rural webpage and subscribe to JobFeed to stay up to date with the latest employment opportunities across NSW public schools.