 My name is Tammy. I'm a primary teacher at Boogerman Community School on Palm Island here and I teach Year 1-2 at the moment. I was actually born in Charters Towers. My dad's mob's Mullanjali and my mum's people are butchers, which is Fraser Island. I'm in my 50th year of teaching. I always wanted to be a teacher doing it when I was in my mid-40s. It was the best timing for me and for my family. It is very different to what I'd imagined it. I love it. I love all the kids. It just felt more fulfilling for me to be teaching my own people, going where the need was the greatest. Because I know and I've been through the struggles that these children have been through and I know exactly when the kids walking through the door what it was like for me walking through the door. And I love seeing them coming in, enjoying class. I believe our people that knowledge is power and I feel empowered empowering others. For me it has been the most joyful and the most purposeful career that I've embarked on. I didn't know if it was going to be this way but now that I'm here I enjoy it immensely. The tip I'd leave with the beginning teach is always be flexible and always remember you are learning. Come up in three words, teaching is hard work, empowering and rewarding. My name's Tammy and I'm a proud Murray teacher.