After two decades as a dedicated Primary School Teacher, Carly found herself ready for a change, but not just any change. She wanted a career that would continue to make a difference in the lives of children and families in a new and meaningful way.
Carly moved to the South Coast 15 years ago and settled in Long Beach near Batemans Bay. While she loved her role as a teacher, after 20 years in the profession, she started to feel the need for a fresh challenge. She wanted to find a new context in which to use her extensive experience with children and decided to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy. “I was looking at my transferable skills and wanted a new way to apply them, so I chose Occupational Therapy because it still allowed me to work closely with children and support their growth,” she explains.
To make the transition, Carly returned to university. She immersed herself in coursework and hands-on training, learning new techniques that would allow her to support children’s functional skills in a clinical setting. This new role offered the opportunity to help children in a more specialised capacity, addressing independence and participation challenges that could significantly impact their education and development.
For the past year, Carly has been working with Noah’s Inclusion Services, serving communities across Moruya, Narooma, Ulladulla, and Batemans Bay. “I love that I get out and mix with lots of different team members and people,” she shares, reflecting on the variety and dynamic nature of her new role. Her background as a Teacher gives her a unique perspective, allowing her to connect easily with children and families and to understand the educational context of her young clients.
Carly was drawn to Noah’s Inclusion Services not only because their values resonated with her, but also due to their commitment to ongoing professional development. “I knew that the wide-ranging professional development opportunities at Noah’s were exactly what I wanted for my career,” she says.
Another factor in Carly’s ongoing happiness with Noah’s is the leadership of CEO Alice Lans. “Having a leader with a clinical background is fabulous,” she adds. Carly appreciates that Alice’s background as a Speech Pathologist keeps the organisation grounded in practical, client-focused approaches.
Reflecting on her journey, Carly is thankful she made the move and is proud to still be working with children and families, albeit in a new capacity. “It was a big change, but it was worth it,” she says. “I’ve found a new way to make a difference, I’m settled here and not going anywhere”.
