By CASEY NEILL
GREATER Dandenong made its mark on local learning in the past year.
Keysborough Learning Centre (KLC) teacher Rani Pillai and Wellsprings for Women student Angela Saenz were both finalists in the Victorian Learn Local Awards.
Higher Education and Skills Minister Nick Wakeling recently announced the winners, and said the awards celebrated outstanding achievements across more than 300 community-based learners, educators and providers.
Ms Pillai narrowly missed out on the Outstanding Practitioner title. She arrived in Australia from India with her husband seven years ago.
“I have no other family in Australia so I was lonely and unsure of myself in my new home,” she said.
“I became aware of some voluntary work available at KLC.”
She helped out in a computer class and enjoyed it so much that she completed a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment so she could become a teacher.
“I enjoyed this so much and wanted to build on my teaching skills and also teach English,” she said.
Ms Pillai now holds a Graduate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
KLC education program manager Mary Fox nominated Ms Pillai and said she’d been instrumental in introducing e-learning into the classroom.
“Many learners were somewhat resistant at first but now embrace the new technology and the many apps they can now access themselves,” Ms Fox said.
“One student who started at zero level English and computer skills after two years improved so much that she has now gained employment.”
Ms Saenz attends English for Migrant Women Level 3 at Wellsprings for Women in Dandenong and was among three finalists for the Outstanding Pre-accredited Learner award.
Art therapist Holly Gordon nominated the Narre Warren South student.
“She now interacts with staff and other participants in English when attending the class and will initiate conversations in English, which has made her a more productive member of her class,” she said.
“She is now very active within the classroom and supports her classmates learning where she can, showing them great patience during group work and assisting them when needed.”
Ms Gordon said improvements in Ms Saenz’s reading and writing had helped her voluntary work and paid employment.
“She stated that these new skills make her feel like a more productive member of her local community which she places great importance on,” she said.
“When moving to Australia from Argentina, Angela felt powerless to offer the kind of support to others in her community that she wished to provide.
“Since then, Angela has built herself up to be an active member of her community.”
Ms Gordon said Ms Saenz aimed to enrol in accredited study in the near future, with the ultimate goal of gaining employment in community work.
