Elise Thornthwaite guiding and nurturing growth through STEM

Elise Thornthwaite is a Gamilaraay woman working as a primary school teacher on Maung Country in the Northern Territory. 

‘I realised I wanted to be a teacher when I discovered my passion for helping young children grasp concepts and make understandings of the world around them,’ Elise said.

Elise first started teaching in her hometown in regional NSW, then worked in rural central west NSW, and is now teaching on a remote island in Arnhem Land.

Elise is also an aspiring author and illustrator of children’s books and a yoga teacher. Although most recently, she was a participant of the Teachers of STEM™ Initiative through The Stronger Smarter Institute which supported her to complete her Masters of Teaching online.

The Stronger Smarter Institute was funded $5m by the National Indigenous Australians Agency to deliver the Teachers of STEM Initiative™ over ten years as an innovative response to support Indigenous women to succeed in STEM. The initiative delivered by the Stronger Smarter Institute will deliver 100 new STEM specialised, First Nations teachers into schools nationwide. 

Elise was inspired by the connections she made through the Teachers of STEM™ Initiative.

‘Meeting other passionate and deadly educators who fuelled my teaching journey was the greatest benefit. Their insights and dedication have been instrumental in shaping my approach to STEM education,’ Elise said.

Elise believes that it is crucial for First Nations women and children to learn STEM as it empowers them with skills for the future. 

‘STEM education opens doors to opportunities, self-reliance, and innovative problem-solving. It fosters self-esteem, bridges inequalities, and helps build a brighter, more inclusive future for Indigenous communities,’ Elise said.

Being inspired by her young student’s curiosity and enthusiasm, is what drives Elise to teach. She gets great satisfaction from being a part of their educational development.

‘Witnessing those moments and seeing the joy in their faces when they learn something new is incredibly fulfilling for me. It's a rewarding journey to guide and nurture their growth,’ Elise said.

Seeing her students faces light up with happiness when they learn and achieve will continue to remind Elise why she loves teaching.