Suwilaawks Community School students are receiving a cultural bonus this year under the instruction of Belinda Johnston, an exchange teacher from Australia.
The Grade 6 and 7 class was formerly taught by Tina Radlete, who has since made her way down under to teach in Johnston’s home of Brisbane, Australia.
The two women have made a complete swap, trading homes and classrooms for a year.
The exchange was organized through the Coast Mountains School District here and Queensland Education in Australia.
Johnston applied for the program and filled out a questionnaire, ticking off boxes rating her preference on where she would be going.
“They match you up from someone across the world in similar circumstance doing the same things,” Johnston said.
“It’s definitely a way to grow in your career and expand who you are, I think that is important in any profession,” she said.
One of the most important outcomes for Johnston was a rural posting.
“I wanted to get to know the community,” Johnston said, who added the people of Terrace have been incredibly welcoming.
Johnston was accompanied by her daughter Codi who is now attending a Grade 8/9 mix at Skeena Secondary School.
Johnston said she had no difficulty convincing Codi to embark on the exchange.
One major change for Johnston and her daughter has been the weather.
Radlete left behind jackets, scarves, and boots to help the ladies prepare for a Terrace winter.
“I don’t even think I own a scarf to be honest,” Johnston said, adding that it is the first time that Codi has ever seen snow.
“The day we arrived we put the key in the door and the snow fell from the sky, we were pretty excited,” she said.
As far as teaching goes, Johnston said she already feels very comfortable with her students and position.
“Wherever you go in the world the children are the same,” Johnston said.
“Same struggles, same everything, in the classroom you would think I was at home.”
She adds that one difference is using a chalkboard, something she has never done before.
“I spent a day practising,” said Johnston who added that in Australia, teachers use white boards and electronic smart boards.
As part of the exchange, Johnston will have to write a report on something that has interested her in the experience.
She plans to compare the cultural diversity of Suwilaawks to the cultural diversity of the school she taught at in Australia.
Terrace’s Tina Radlete said in an email interview that she has settled in comfortably in Australia, although she said that she has never seen rain like that before.
Radlete is currently living in the city of Logan, a suburban area between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and has not been affected by the flooding in the area, although she said the devastation to people and property has been unbelievable.