Teach the Future – Zoe’s story

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Megan, presenter:

Welcome to Moyston, on the country of the Djab Wurrung people at the foothills of the Grampians.

I’m so excited because today I get to meet Zoe, who went from working in a busy office in Melbourne to teaching here in a town of only 400 people. She’s already been here for 3 years, but she’s got no plans of going anywhere else. So let’s go meet her.

Zoe, what was it that really inspired you to make the move to teach regionally?

Zoe, teacher:

I was working as a graphic designer for a few years, and I was pretty much bored of sitting in front of a computer all day.

Teaching was always something that I thought I’d really enjoy doing, so I enrolled in a Master’s of Teaching, and during that, I was on a placement in regional Victoria, which I really, really enjoyed. It’s led me to apply for a job, and I’m still here now.

Part of the contract was a financial incentive, which helped with relocating and to save money, which has been really good.

Megan:

Zoe, this is such a beautiful school and such a gorgeous classroom. This classroom is yours. What do you love about teaching?

Zoe:

We’re really lucky we have 3 small classes, so I’ve only got 10 kids in my class, which is amazing. And I’ve been teaching some of the same kids since they were in Prep, so the relationships that you can build are pretty special.

Megan:

You’ve moved from Metro Melbourne. What was that process like for you?

Zoe:

I knew it was going to be a huge challenge because it’s basically uprooting my entire life. I went with the mindset that what you put in is what you get out. And that’s really sort of proved to be true. Three years later, I’m still here, which is really lovely.

I think it’s pretty special being in a location such as this. I try to bring that into the classroom as much as possible. Like, we’ll take the kids for walks out in nature and then bring that back into the classwork, and the sort of artworks and the murals that we’re making with the kids as well. Sort of making that connection too.

Megan:

Well, taking a bit of a wander around the school, you can really see your creativity sprinkled everywhere. And I want to talk about this gorgeous mural. Talk me through it.

Zoe:

Yeah, so we spent time with the kids learning about the six Gariwerd seasons, which is the local area that we’re in, and then we’ve tied it in with an acknowledgment to country as well.

Megan:

I absolutely love it.

Well, the school is literally just down the highway here at the Moyston general store. Do you spend a bit of time here?

Zoe:

I don’t mind a chai latte. Cheers.

Megan:

And what’s the community like out here?

Zoe:

Yeah, everyone’s so lovely and been so welcoming towards me. And everyone really gets around each other, particularly the kids, as well, at school.

Megan:

I feel like it’s pretty self-explanatory, but what is your favourite thing about living out here in Moyston?

Zoe:

I mean, it’s being at the foothills of the Grampians. It’s great being able to bring my friends and family here to go for a walk when they come to visit.

Megan:

This must just help you feel so grounded living and working out here.

Zoe:

Yeah, it’s a great place to come and unwind.

Megan:

And what about living and working in this environment? How would you say that influences your teaching?

Zoe:

Yeah, I suppose I try to bring as much of the natural environment in as possible to the classroom.

Megan:

Well, there’s no shortage of that here. Shall we go explore?

Zoe:

Let’s.

Megan:

To find out more about teaching opportunities in regional Victoria, search Teach the Future.

[End of transcript]

Updated 7 March 2025

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