Stronger Smarter Institute is proud to celebrate the achievements of our graduates of the Teachers of STEM Initiative (ToSI), knowing the direct impact that they will have in the classroom. Through hard work and perseverance six motivated Indigenous women have graduated from their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related teaching degrees and are all now employed in Education. 

Elise completed a Master of Teaching (Primary) at Charles Sturt University; Alicia, Chelsea, Flori and Lisa graduated with a Graduate Certificate of Education from QUT; and Rosalyn has graduated with a Graduate Certificate of Secondary STEM Education, Western Sydney University. 

Their success can be attributed, in part, to the support from ToSI, which included a scholarship to help with costs of study, mentoring and connection to peers. One graduate Lisa, shared, “I feel more confident in planning and sharing Indigenous Knowledge with the students and recognising Indigenous people as the first scientists, astronomers, and engineers.”  Lisa’s advice to others who might be interested in the initiative, is to “believe you can succeed”.   

The increased demand of STEM skills and knowledge in current and future occupations make it imperative that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are involved in the future of STEM learning.   The graduates will make a difference to all students but in particular will encourage the interest and participation rates by Indigenous female students in STEM learning.   

Having positive role models such as our graduates will encourage school students to engage and succeed in learning STEM. You can’t be what you can’t see, as the saying goes, and these graduates hope to inspire positive attitudes by being visible as role models at the front of the classroom.  

Funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), the Stronger Smarter Institute developed the Teachers of STEM Initiative (ToSI) as an innovative response to support Indigenous women to succeed in obtaining a STEM teaching qualification. With the help of the Stronger Smarter Institute and NIAA funding our graduates have achieved their learning goals.   

For more information please visit Teachers of STEM Initiative | Stronger Smarter 

You too could join the Teachers of STEM Initiative and create transformative change in education.