Making waves in education

“I already knew I loved teaching, swimming and building inclusive environments, but I wanted to take it to another level – I wanted to challenge myself and become the best educator I could be,” recent graduate, and student speaker, Connor said.

Connor’s career in aquatics began with a strong sense of purpose and quickly gained momentum. Originally a pool Duty Manager, Connor (now 26) first became a teacher at 19, and last year he was named ‘Australian Swim Teacher of the Year’ (and this year as a national finalist) for his work with neurodivergent students– i.e. developing support strategies and program specifically for their needs. 

Despite these accolades, Connor recognised the importance of further growth.

“Even with those achievements, I knew I needed to keep learning. That’s what led me to TAFE Queensland and the (now Fee-Free) Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122) course,” Connor explained.

“It wasn’t just about gaining a qualification – it was about investing in myself, so I could keep investing in others.”

Connor’s study journey was not without hurdles – balancing work, study, and self-doubt tested his resilience.

“There were moments of uncertainty, times when study felt overwhelming, and when I doubted myself. But what made the difference was the support – the teachers who encouraged me, and the staff who reminded me that asking for help is a strength,” Connor reflected.

Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of three, Connor grew up hearing others tell him “you can’t do this” and “you won’t be able to do that”, sharing that everything he wanted to do was a challenge.

His TAFE Queensland experience gave him the opportunity to prove those voices wrong.

“Study has never been easy for me, but TAFE Queensland gave me confidence to back myself in tough decisions, to advocate for others, and to grow as a leader,” he said.

For Connor, his achievements go beyond personal growth – they represent a commitment to others, especially students who are neurodiverse.

“TAFE Queensland has shown me that growth happens when you push through challenges with the right people beside you. Now I want to build spaces where every student, including those who are neurodiverse, can thrive,” Connor said.

He continues to train and mentor teachers within the aquatics industry, ensuring inclusivity remains at the heart of his work.

As Connor sets his sights firmly on the future, he describes his time at TAFE Queensland as ‘transformative’. 

“This program has given me the tools and confidence to take my vision further – I will be developing a training and consulting business for the aquatics industry – in addition to swimming teaching – and I’m excited for what lies ahead,” he said.

Connor is determined to keep making waves – by continuing to champion inclusivity and lead with courage.