Amanda finds her niche working with children
5 May 2004
Moonee Ponds resident, Amanda Kimber, describes her new job as a teacher for three-year old kinder children like winning Tattslotto after being a housewife and mother for the last eight years.
Amanda, 36, is the Gold Medallion winner at the 2004 Graduation Awards for Social and Applied Sciences and is now working at Ave Maria kinder in Essendon. Amanda, who studied the Diploma of Childrens Services, says the course had given her a renewed sense of self worth, improved organisation skills and developed her self confidence so much that she would now like to continue her studies with a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and eventually perhaps become a field officer in the area.
Returning to study as a mature age student had its advantages for Amanda. With most students in the course being teenagers, Amanda found they gravitated to her as a natural leader. "Often the other students would elect me as their spokesperson as they felt comfortable approaching me," said Amanda.
It definitely wasn't easy for Amanda though. She found it completely different being at TAFE than secondary school which was many years ago. "I was used to being spoon-fed, I had to adapt to new ways of teaching and become more proactive."
Amanda describes the course as invaluable training for her new career. The practical placement component honed her written and spoken communication skills and prepared her well for dealing with other staff, parents and, of course, the children, at her kinder.
Now with plans to further her studies Amanda feels she has come a long way from her first job as a clerk in the tramways.
Two outstanding students at Kangan Batman TAFE tied for the Gold Medal award this year. The other winner was Eva Mazzei, from the Industry Sciences and Continuing Education area who studied the Certificate IV in Pathology Collection.
Kangan Batman TAFE has 24,000 students across its seven campuses in Broadmeadows, Moreland, Richmond, Craigieburn, Coburg, Avondale Heights and Essendon.
Each year in May, Kangan Batman TAFE conducts two graduation ceremonies at the Moonee Valley Racecourse to accommodate all of its graduates and award-winning students.
The first ceremony, at which Amanda will receive her award, will be held on Friday 7 May 2004. Hume City Council is major sponsor of the ceremony, while the Broadmeadows Town Centre is supporting sponsor.
