From an early age, Portland teacher Simone Taylor knew she would become a teacher.
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Inspired by her mother, St Joseph's Primary School principal Sue Kearns and her grandmother, who was very involved with children, she knew from primary school she would be an educator too.
Mrs Taylor was recently recognised with an award recognising her more than 20 years of teaching in the Bathurst Diocese at a ceremony in Wellington.
After finishing her studies at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, Mrs Taylor decided to pursue primary school teaching after considering a career in early childhood education.
After working casually in the state system at Lithgow and at Cullen Bullen, a position became available at St Joseph's Primary School in Portland as a Year 1 and 2 teacher.
"It is very rewarding to see a child's success and student growth, and know that you're helping them to develop and learn," she said.
Since then, she has taught across all the stages, but over the last 10 years has been mostly focused on infants. She also steps up to fill in as acting principal in Mrs Kearns' absence.
Mrs Taylor said she took a great deal of satisfaction in seeing the students she had taught go on to successful adult lives.
"Seeing their university achievements, get jobs, have families..." she said.
"I love to see children from Portland succeed."
Mrs Taylor said schools like St Joseph's showcased Catholic education at its best.
"It's like a little family," she said.
"We all grow up and develop together."
Teaching is certainly a family affair. Not only is St Joseph's principal Sue Kearns Simone's mother, but her sister Renae Dunleavy is currently acting principal at St Patrick's Primary School in Lithgow.
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