A vivid childhood memory and a lifelong love of learning have sparked new career success for Runcorn resident, Hui Ling Liu.

Hui Ling recently gained employment as a Teacher Aide after gaining a Certificate III in Education Support through Belong’s Diversity in Education program – a program specifically designed for learners from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who want to provide cross-cultural learning support in diverse classrooms.

The seeds for her new role at Warrigal Road State School were planted in childhood, a time when she was a newcomer to Australia with very little English. Hui Ling herself received the invaluable support of a teacher aide in her new primary school setting:

“It’s still a vivid memory for me. I was brought to Australia by my parents for the first time when I was five, and spent about 2 years enrolled in a local state school while my parents applied for residency in Australia. I hardly knew any English, and there was a Teacher Aide in the school who helped me learn phonics, build vocabulary, and improve my writing to the point that I was able to transition into mainstream class,” said Hui Ling.

“I was so grateful to have the support of someone who accepted me for who I was and who taught me with so much patience. This has had a huge impact on my life, and ever since I’ve always wanted to become someone who could help students in similar circumstances to myself,” she said.

Hui Ling migrated back to Australia as a Permanent Resident after completing her Bachelor of Mass Communication and English in Taiwan. Looking for opportunities to follow her dream, she was directed to Belong’s Diversity in Education program by a friend who had previously participated in the same program.

“I found the Certificate III in Education Support training through Belong and Strategix was a great course, and I learned so much more than just what was detailed in the course outline.  The most valuable part of the course I found was its inclusiveness, and its multicultural learning.”

“My fellow classmates came from different countries and they all brought into the classroom a lot of valuable points of views on how to help students learn and achieve more at school.”

“The community involvement arranged by Belong and Sudhara (Belong’s project coordinator) was a very valuable learning experience. Belong organized a great network of local business leaders to come and help with interview skills and help polish resumes before we were sent off into the real world of schools for vocational placement.”

“I also found the trainers at Strategix, Scott and Vanessa, were excellent too. They were so experienced in training and I enjoyed every single class they delivered knowing I was in good hands.”

Along with her work at Warrigal Road State School, Hui Ling also works at Avenues Early Learning Center as an Art Teacher and Assistant Educator.

As a Teacher Aide at WRSS, Hui Ling supports children with special needs, and also works with students who are learning English as an additional language. Her main roles include supporting the behavioural and emotional wellbeing of students and supporting their learning objectives. As an Art teacher/Assistant Educator, she plans and delivers art programs for children in care and for children who come to after school care.

“I’m sincerely thankful to Belong and the staff for all the support provided, and feel that without this support I might not have been able to make this big move towards my goals!”