From Western Sydney to the Red Centre: Tully’s Territory Teaching Journey
Meet Tully, a Year 7 English and Humanities Teacher at Centralian Middle School in Alice Springs.
Originally from Windsor, NSW, Tully moved to the Northern Territory seeking a challenge that would shape not only his teaching, but his outlook on life. What was meant to be just one school term at Centralian Middle School turned into something much more.
“I was looking to learn about myself as both an educator and as a person.” Teaching in country NSW had left Tully feeling his approach was “somewhat pigeonholed by a lack of cultural awareness,” and Central Australia offered the opportunity to “learn about Aboriginal histories and perspectives.”
The Territory’s unique context quickly reshaped his approach to teaching. “The strength of narrative story telling as a teaching tool to encapsulate and educate an audience, and how Aboriginal ways of viewing and understanding time are circular rather than the western linear way.”
For Tully, the most rewarding part of teaching in Alice has been the connections with his students. “Developing these relationship is obviously brilliant because it’s helps create an environment where they are more eager and willing to learn, but the best thing about it is that it creates a safe space where kids are willing to share their personal stories and knowledges and teach me about them, their culture, their town and their community.”
Life in Alice Springs has also brought new adventures. “I ran the 25km West Macs Monster — and ended up loving it! Might even do the 65km next year.” And the Territory spirit has been contagious in his household: “Only in the Territory would my wife decide she wanted to complete the Tatts Finke Desert Race — and finishing the race and raising $15,500 for mental health and suicide awareness through the charity ‘It’s Okay not to be Okay’.”
Beyond the classroom, Tully enjoys community sport, CrossFit, time with friends, and exploring the Central Australian landscape. “the people make the place, and when you invest in people, the place invests in you.”
If you’re ready to grow, connect, and be challenged in the best of ways — teaching in the Territory might be your next move.
