Before becoming a teacher at Banmira Specialist School, she spent much of her adventurous life around water, starting with her enlistment in the Navy.
“When I was in the Navy, we did supply runs to the Northern Territory, mostly Darwin and Townsville, and I fell in love with Australia,” Tiffany said.
“When I got out, I initially planned to come here on a working holiday visa and teach scuba diving.”
The desire to kick her legs, dip her head into the big blue, and reach the sea floor was put on hold, however, when Tiffany discovered there was some kicking going on inside her.
“I found out I was pregnant,” she said.
“Can’t really teach scuba diving or be on a working holiday visa, so life went on a different path.”
Taking the plunge into motherhood instead, she dedicated herself to understanding her son and his autism, taking child development courses and shadowing him at school.
In her quest for knowledge, Tiffany discovered a natural affinity for teaching.
“I fell in love,” she said.
Her teaching experiences spanned from California to Abu Dhabi before she returned to the States to open a private school in a mental health treatment facility in Las Vegas.
The job was “all-consuming” and Tiffany wanted to take a step back for her own wellbeing.
“There was no work-life balance – it was just work, work, work with a sprinkle of life,” she said.
“I thought I’d put my resume in (for a teaching position in Australia) and see what happens.”
Parting with her son, now 22, she said she felt he needed a gentle nudge towards becoming more independent.
With her military retirement providing financial support, he has the freedom to explore his own path while still having a safety net.
As for Tiffany, she applied to several schools, ultimately choosing Banmira for its alignment with her values – and she couldn’t be happier with her decision.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better employer,” she said.
“They really want what’s best for the kids, and there’s a lot of care and passion here for kids with disabilities and people in general.
“They care about you not just as a teacher but as a person.
“Yes, they want you to do your job, but they also want to support you to ensure you’re the best version of yourself for the students.”
Going from the fluorescent lights of the Strip to small-town life in Australia has certainly been a big change for the educator.
Yet, Tiffany’s bright outlook has remained the same.
“I came with an open heart and an open mind, and I haven’t regretted it – but it took me a while to get used to Australian English,” she said.
There is one thing that she cannot get used to.
“The bins – you guys have way too many bins,” she said.
– Taylah Baker
15°C