T H E B AROSSA MAG | 23
Asher puts life into learning
Asher Rohde’s holistic approach to teaching is getting results,
inside the classroom and out.
WORDS BY HEIDI HELBIG
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN KRÜGER
Walking among a throng of
Nuriootpa High School students
as the siren sounds, fresh-faced
Asher Rohde might easily be
mistaken for one of her young
protégés.
But enter her Year 12
psychology class and it’s clear
Asher is no Gen Z, but an
enlightened and broad-minded
educator with a heart for her
students.
In fact the wellbeing of her
students is just as important
as the psychology and English
curriculum Asher teaches,
especially in the context of
unprecedented social media
exposure, bullying and teen
depression.
On any given day Asher might
be confidante, mentor or
mediator.
“There are lots of roles in
teaching besides being the
teacher,” says the 26-year-old
from Nuriootpa.
“The fact students can come
to me and feel comfortable
speaking to me gives them
someone else they can confide
in.
“It’s those aspects that make
teaching what it is…It’s part of
who I am, and it’s why I love the
job.”
Destined for a career in
education, Asher credits
her grandmother and many
“amazing” teachers with
awakening her natural sense of
curiosity.
“I’ve wanted to be a teacher ever
since I can remember,” says
Asher.
“My grandmother (Donella
Beinke) was a teacher and the
way she taught us grandkids,
you could tell she was a teacher
– in the most empathetic way.
She genuinely wanted us to
learn.
“I think I have always
appreciated school and
learning…I always found school,
not easy, but I really liked the
challenges.”