Adrie is changing lives through care and education

Adrie's career journey began in South Africa, where she worked as a Technical Engineer at a chrome smelter. In addition to overseeing metallurgy processes and production systems, she also managed IT operations and developed an information management system that integrated key operational functions.

After relocating to Australia in 2013, Adrie spent a year working as a software developer before pursuing a new direction in aged care. The decision was deeply personal.

Having cared for both her daughter following a heart transplant and later her mother during serious illness, Adrie experienced first-hand the challenges faced by individuals and families navigating complex care needs.

“That was hard, and it made me want to give back and make things a little easier for other people going through the same thing," she explained.

After completing her aged care studies, Adrie worked with Spinal Life Australia, supporting people living with spinal injuries and helping them achieve greater independence and quality of life.

Her passion for sharing knowledge eventually led her to complete her training and assessment qualification and join TAFE Queensland, where she has been teaching the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) (CHC33021) for more than six years.

For Adrie, TAFE Queensland's reputation for quality education and industry relevance made it the natural choice.

"TAFE Queensland has a strong reputation and it is a stable, trusted training provider," she said.

"Students can be confident that the qualifications they earn here have real value in the workplace."

While Adrie is passionate about preparing students with the skills needed for the community services sector, the moments she treasures most are the personal transformations he sees along the way.

“One student shared with me that our classes and the support she received made a real difference to her during a time when she was struggling deeply with her mental health,” explained Adrie.

“That is when it hit me that what we do here does not only change the lives of older people and people living with disability. It also changes the lives of the students we teach.”

A typical day for Adrie includes classroom delivery, practical demonstrations, student support, assessment marking, and continuously refining his teaching methods to keep students engaged.

“On class days I get in early to set up the classroom and the practical room. Then I deliver, demonstrate, have a bit of fun, and keep the students engaged throughout the day,” she said.

“Afterwards I reflect on how it went, note anything I want to improve, answer emails, and do my marking. On administration days I focus on marking assessments and improving my delivery, and I try out new ideas, whether that is a new delivery method, a game, or a different type of presentation.”

“Finding new ways to keep students engaged is the part I enjoy most.”

Adrie’s commitment to learning extends beyond the classroom. Currently studying a Diploma in Artificial Intelligence (11287NAT) with TAFE Queensland, she attends evening classes several times a week to better understand the rapidly evolving technology landscape.

“I want to stay ahead of it so I can bring those skills into my teaching and help my students be ready too,” she said.

Adrie sees all TAFE Queensland values as interconnected and reflected in her everyday work. Above all, the value of taking responsibility sits at the heart of everything she does.

"We are helping shape the future of care," she said.

"Every one of us will need support at some stage in life, so it's important to think about the kind of care we would want for ourselves and others."

For industry professionals considering a teaching career, Adrie's message is simple.

“If you truly want to make a difference, this is where you should be. You are not only touching one person's life. You are preparing people to care for others, and that has a big ripple effect,” she finished.