Grace Nabhan
Navitas English
My Navitas journey began in 2012, in the distance learning team. I used to be a high school teacher, so was unfamiliar with distance learning, but keen to try this new way of teaching. It became an opportunity to develop new strategies, and find ways of engaging students in an online classroom.
In 2015, I volunteered with a humanitarian aid organisation. I travelled to developing countries and was involved in education programs and resourcing. The work included helping teachers develop their skills, providing basic supplies, and offering friendship and compassion. During this time I realised helping people can impact a whole community.
I returned to Australia with a desire to make a difference in the lives of migrants and refugees. Having seen the effects of war, famine and trauma had given me a greater
understanding of refugees, which helps me teach the skills needed for making a life in a new country. The pandemic has made our students’ settlement in Australia more difficult, and has brought about new challenges for staff and students in adapting to online teaching and learning. I am responsible for training and supporting staff and students with online delivery and learning, and the skills I gained during my time in distance learning have been invaluable.
Recently, it has been rewarding to see the improvement in students’ digital skills, and it’s been encouraging to see how well teachers have adapted. Their willingness to develop their skills and prepare for the ever-changing landscape of education has been especially fulfilling.