Natteisha Gibson shapes young hearts and minds through her ECEC career

19 year old Natteisha Gibson has turned some challenging life experiences into her inspiration for working with young children as an early childhood educator. 

 

Ms Gibson dreamed of becoming a dance teacher, however her ‘difficult homelife’ during her mid teen years, which led to a decline in mental health, made this dream out of reach, leading a caring high school teacher to suggest a new path for her. 

 

The option of pursuing a qualification through TAFE Digital meant that she could establish a career in a high demand sector, while also respecting the constraints posed by her chronic anxiety and the challenges of her living situation. 

 

Offering personalised learning support meant that Ms Gibson felt less anxious about undertaking her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

 

“I was very anxious and was struggling at home and school … and I wasn’t sure I would get through the course,” she said.

 

“The one-on-one learning support from my TAFE Digital teacher really made the difference. If I didn’t understand a question, they would break it down for me and frame it in terms I could understand.”

 

So profound was her transformation, Ms Gibson was awarded School-based Trainee of the Year at the 2024 TAFE NSW Excellence Awards.

 

Initially Ms Gibson worked as a trainee at Dunedoo Preschool two days a week and attended school three days a week while completing her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care at TAFE Digital. 

 

After leaving school in 2023, she moved to Mudgee and now works as an educator at Mudgee’s Kiddie Academy.

 

“I was lost for a while after realising I couldn’t become a dance teacher but I always had a good way with kids so thought I would enter a traineeship,” Ms Gibson shared.

 

“The ability to earn and learn at the same time was really appealing and it really gave me a headstart to my career.”

 

She is now studying a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care to help progress her career even further.

 

To learn more about the options for study available with TAFE NSW please see here.