Inspirational Katanning student named South Regional TAFE’s Trainee of the Year

Hard work, determination and energy have proved a recipe for success for Katanning student Theodosia Gordon. Known around town as Dosia, the early education carer received her fourth academic recognition of the year this week at South Regional TAFE’s Katanning campus. Ms Gordon was named Trainee of the Year from South Regional TAFE’s 12 campuses, including Albany, Bunbury and Narrogin. “I can honestly say that in the eight years I have taught this subject and the 20 years I spent in the industry, I have never to this stage had a student that showed this level of excellence, care and commitment that Dosia has,” lecturer Mandy Harris said. “I am in awe of her determination, resilience and commitment to her career and study. “Our classroom became a joy to learn in and a joy to teach in, due to no small part to Dosia’s pure energy and her delight at learning.” After receiving the award, Ms Gordon spoke to the Herald about the support she had from her teachers as she moved from a Certificate III to a diploma. “They gave me the motivation that I would be able to do it,” she said. “It was absolutely amazing, I never felt scared to ask for help. I could ask any lecturer around TAFE for assistance and they were all very happy to provide support and help. “My main goal was to qualify and to achieve a diploma, not being up for awards, so (the award) to me was a huge ‘wow, I’ve actually done this’.” Ms Gordon started a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care in 2019 after landing a role as an educator at Katanning Community Childcare Centre. Soon after starting her traineeship, Katanning campus manager Chrissie Coldwell said it became apparent to her and her teachers that Ms Gordon could achieve a higher level than Certificate III. “The quality and detail that Dosia provided in her assessments were second to none,” Ms Coldwell said at the awards ceremony. “She attended almost every workshop and class at TAFE for two years while doing her course and gave assistance to anyone who needed help from Certificate II, III or diploma.” The executive team at Katanning TAFE spoke about how Dosia used her love for music, language and dance to create “amazing learning experiences for the children in her care.” “She loves to have fun and this is evident when she is sharing these experiences with the children and all others around her,” Ms Coldwell said. Ms Gordon graduated last year with her diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.