Page 15 - Inspire Magazine

“I WANT TO SHARE
MY HAPPINESS AND
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
WITH THESE KIDS.”

A
Riverside Primary School student has
made a remarkable change. He once
struggled to read – hated it even –
but now he can’t put a book down.
That’s the impact of Aboriginal and
Islander Education Officer Ashlee Otway’s
‘never say die’ attitude.
“I have a little boy in class who likes
to think he’s pretty macho and didn’t like to
read,” says Ashlee. “After working with him I 1
saw that he wasn’t a confident reader and had
been putting up that gruff exterior as a defence
mechanism. “These small changes not only make
“So I found some books called The Bad me feel proud to be a Noongar woman, but
Guys which feature Mr Wolf, Mr Shark, Mr also give my students and their families the
Snake and Mr Piranha. These stories really opportunity to feel proud about our culture,”
captured his attention and changed his attitude she says.
to reading. Now, when reading time’s up, he It’s no wonder one of her greatest
just wants to keep going which makes me feel achievements is supporting and connecting
like I’ve really helped.” with parents and families.
It’s this persistence that has seen her “It can be hard for our parents to feel
re-shape the role to being a vital part of the welcome in a school because of many
school and the community – and has won issues,” Ashlee explains.
her the title of WA Aboriginal and Islander “I want parents to know that I’m always
Education Officer of the Year in the WA here for their kids and for them – and that the 2
Education Awards. school is a welcoming environment.
Ashlee reflects on the moment she found “Now I have parents volunteering and
her true calling to work with children. helping out at school which is definitely
“I was facilitating a Noongar children’s making it feel worthwhile.”
playgroup and thinking how I really enjoyed Ashlee is now studying to become
being with the kids,” she says. “I had mostly a teacher.
worked with adults so that’s when I thought “I’m passionate about being the best
about taking up teaching.” person you can, living each day and your life
It took time to reach this defining moment. to the best you can. I’m passionate about my
She worked in retail when she was younger and family and my job because I actually feel
then worked with her aunty as a family support like I want to make myself a better person,
worker. not just for myself but for my family and my 3
“This helped me grow into the person I am students,” she says.
now,” says Ashlee. “My students always come first and WA Aboriginal and Islander Education
“My aunty pushed me for all the right I want them to believe in their abilities Officer of the Year winner
reasons, but at that time my natural reaction and their dreams. (1) Ashlee Otway, Riverside Primary School
was to run. Looking back, she taught me so “I’d like to think that these strong WA Aboriginal and Islander Education
much.” relationships are built on trust and respect Officer of the Year finalists
While Ashlee may consider herself as which can give them the confidence to (2) Wayne McNamara, Bannister Creek
humble, dedicated and encouraging, her become anything they want. Primary School
(3) Karessa Pickett, Tambellup Primary School
colleagues and the local community think she’s “I am always here for them and I let
one of the best things to happen at their school. them know that. Even when they leave me
Her enormous sense of pride in her for secondary school I will always be here
Aboriginal culture has seen her introduce small to give them support.
changes such as raising the Aboriginal flag, “Who knows what the future holds. I
acknowledgment of country at assemblies and want to share my happiness and make
including cultural events in the school calendar. a difference with these kids.”

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