Kat’s love of teaching inspiring students to follow in her footsteps
Katrina Miller-Little chuckles as she reflects on what she loves about being a teacher. After some contemplation, she settles on her ability to change her students’ perceptions of ‘boring’ subjects.
“I love having fun with them and supporting them to explore unexpected interests,” she says.
“It’s not uncommon to hear groans from around the room when I announce we’ll be studying poetry, and I revel in watching the shift in their interest when I remind them that, if they enjoy music, they can enjoy poetry – songs are a form of poetry too.”
Set to graduate on Thursday 13 December with a Master of Special and Inclusive Education, the 30-year-old English and drama teacher from Hunter School of the Performing Arts has come a long way since her own high schooling on the Gold Coast of Queensland.
“I did quite well at school, but I wasn’t academically driven and really disengaged. I never did my final exams because I’d always been told uni wasn’t the place for me,” she recalls.
“None of my immediate family had a degree and it took the pursuit of other interests, including ski instructing across Japan, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, to realise teaching was really my passion.”
After completing a STAT exam for an ATAR equivalent, Kat received an outstanding score and was accepted to the University of Newcastle’s Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (Honours), from which she graduated with the University Medal in 2021.
Poached into a graduate recruit position for high achievers, Kat acknowledges the significance and support of the University’s Wollotuka Institute in providing a place of belonging for First Nations students.
Two years on, Kat made the decision to continue her education journey with a Master of Special and Inclusive Education after some unexpected twists in her career.
“I worked in two special education roles purely out of necessity, but found I absolutely loved it. It can be super challenging, but the reward of feeling you’ve made a difference to a student’s life makes for incredibly meaningful work.
“My passion for education is embedded in social justice. My goal is to support students who wouldn’t traditionally have the same access and opportunities as others.”
Katrina Miller-Little will graduate from Masters of Special and Inclusive Education in a ceremony on Wednesday 13 December at 6pm.
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.