This week we’re spotlighting Ms Kirby Taylor Ferris, whose journey into teaching is shaped by a lifelong belief in the power of education and the impact that one supportive adult can have on a young person’s life.
From an early age, Ms Taylor Ferris found herself drawn to teaching, creating informal learning spaces at home for her younger siblings and developing a natural understanding that connection and encouragement are often the foundation of student success. These early experiences, alongside supporting her brother through significant schooling challenges, helped shape her belief that every student learns differently and that meaningful engagement comes from meeting learners where they are.
Today, that philosophy is evident in her classroom practice, with a strong focus on inclusion, adaptability, and ensuring every student feels seen, supported and capable of success.
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What made you decide to become a teacher?
Growing up, I always loved school. As the eldest child, I naturally stepped into a teaching role at home, often setting up my own “classroom” for my younger brother and sister as soon as they were old enough to participate. Looking back, I do not believe I could have pursued any other career path.
No one in my extended family had attended university before, so I did not grow up with expectations or pressure to follow a professional pathway. Instead, I was driven by my own determination and belief in the importance of education.
My younger brother experienced significant challenges throughout his schooling years, and supporting him had a profound impact on me. I vividly remember teaching him to read using a Rugby League Week magazine because it was the only text that genuinely engaged his interest. Later, while I was attending university, he came to live with me so he could complete high school.
During that time, I became increasingly aware of how two siblings from the same family could have entirely different educational experiences. Those experiences shaped my passion for education and reinforced my desire to work with students who may struggle to connect with school.
I strongly believe that every student learns differently and that many face personal challenges and barriers along the way. Sometimes, all it takes is one person who genuinely cares and is willing to think creatively, adapt their approach, and make learning more accessible to positively impact a student’s experience and sense of belonging at school.
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What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
As cliché as it may sound, teaching truly is about making a difference. While the profession certainly comes with its challenges, it is the small moments that make it incredibly rewarding.
Seeing the lightbulb switch on when a student finally understands, receiving heartfelt thank you messages, watching students who never believed in themselves achieve success, and witnessing students you have supported walk across the stage to receive their graduation certificate. Those moments are what make it all worthwhile.
What legacy do you hope to leave as a teacher?
I hope the legacy I leave as a teacher is that my students felt seen, supported, and genuinely cared for. I want to be remembered as someone who understood that not every student learns the same way and that behaviour, disengagement, or low confidence often has a story behind it.
I hope students remember my classroom as a place where they felt safe to have a go, where they were encouraged even when they struggled, and where someone believed in them when they did not always believe in themselves.
For many young people, especially those facing challenges outside of school, having one adult who consistently shows up, listens, and advocates for them can make a significant difference. I hope I have been that person for some of my students.
Professionally, I hope my legacy is one of advocacy, inclusion and relationship-building, particularly for students who may feel marginalised or disconnected from education. Ultimately, I hope I am remembered not only for what I taught academically, but for the way I made students feel and the opportunities I helped create for them.
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