Karrissa Corsaro enters second life as an ECEC professional after raising six children

North Nowra’s Karrissa Corsaro left school in Year 10 and had her first child at 21, spending a number of years as a stay-at-home mum before completing an early childhood education and care (ECEC) qualification with TAFE NSW.

After raising her six children, Ms Corsaro began her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care at TAFE NSW Nowra in 2020, and is now midway through her Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and working as an educator at the same centre her own children attended, Shoalhaven Community Preschool.

“I always knew I wanted a career but when you’re 16 or 18, you’re just too young to really know,” Mrs Corsaro said.

“In the end it was being a stay-at-home mum that really drew me to my passion. To see how much they learn and grow in those early years made me want to help other children do the same.”

When asked about her favourite aspects of her role, Ms Corsaro said it’s “so gratifying” to “see those little brains tick and learn a new skill … it really is incredible.”

TAFE NSW Nowra early childhood teacher Eva Dillon-Smith lauded Mrs Corsaro for her passion and professionalism as an educator.

“Karrissa is just a phenomenal person and to work with children all day and then to come home and be a mum to six just shows that,” Ms Dillon-Smith said.

With ECEC in “desperate need” of more educators, she continued, studying a qualification in ECEC “is a great way to find almost guaranteed work.” 

“It’s such a richly rewarding profession, and you’re able to make a real difference in a young child’s life.”

To learn more about TAFE NSW, please see here.