Ep 11. Interview with Kristine Willems

In this episode, I yarn with Kristine Willems. Kristine is a diploma trained educator that has been working in early childhood for 32 years. Kristine usually works at a sessional kindergarten for Wyndham city council. However, she left her family and fur babies behind this year to move to the northern territory to teach in a remote community. So, if ever you have been curious about what that change would be like, then this is the podcast for you. In this episode we will discuss: Kristine’s background and how she came to work in the Northern Territory. What long daycare in the Northern Territory looks like and how it differs from metropolitan centres. Aboriginal languages and Jess’s personal experience hearing indigenous elders who did not speak English. How flexibility is key to Kristine’s role. Adapting to being able to learn in a physical way. Working with the local community. How Kristine navigates negative feedback or criticism when people think her presence is to ‘save the children’ (which she outlines is the opposite of why she is there). The importance of body language The value of kinship in community And much, much more!