By Bonny Burrows
Nicole Stringer marked her first day at Longwarry Primary School last week, but not as a student.
Instead, the 22-year-old was the school’s newest Prep teacher.
Sharing in the nerves and excitement of her students, Ms Stringer is also finding her feet in the classroom after graduating from Monash University last year.
But she needn’t worry.
Principal Paula Johnston said she knew right from the moment Ms Stringer walked in, she was the perfect person for the job.
“It was really clear she was very passionate about caring for kids and her interview was amazing,” Ms Johnston said.
“We knew there and then we had met someone who would blossom into an amazing teacher.”
A country girl from Neerim South, Ms Stringer said she was drawn to Longwarry for its tight-knit community.
She chose teaching as she loves children and understands the importance education and teachers have on a student’s development.
“Just being around for them to help them grow, as well as being a second support outside of their family is so important for their futures,” Ms Stringer said.
Student welfare was paramount, she said, so she has enlisted the support of a wellbeing officer to help ease the transition into primary schooling.
She also worked tirelessly over the Christmas holidays with the school’s other Prep teacher to develop an interactive curriculum and engaged with her student’s kinder teachers to better understand their likes and needs.
As Ms Johnston put it, the new Prep teacher has gone “above and beyond” for her students.
“She’s really special, really one of a kind,” Ms Johnston said.
“You can see it on her face, in everything she does, how much she loves teaching and her students.
“We’re very lucky to have her.”
Ms Stringer said she was ready for the long haul, with plans to purchase a home in the area.
