May Charles has spent around 20 years working with children. Shania Jones has spent her entire life here. Not just as an educator – as a child who came through the same doors, attended the same kindergarten, and grew up surrounded by the same community that she now helps to shape.
Both proud Yorta Yorta women, May and Shania are Early Years Educators at the kindergarten in Mooroopna, part of 54 reasons' network of early childhood programs. And their connection runs deeper than colleagues: Shania is May's niece.
“This is my Auntie May,” Shania says. “Auntie May is actually one of the strong educators and strong black women that has really encouraged me and shaped and been a wonderful role model to why I've come to be an educator here, and we have such a strong relationship.”
A place where families keep coming back
“I came to this kinder myself and many, many siblings,” says Shania. “And I have my nieces and all Auntie May's family as well, and we continue to have that family come through.”
For May, that trust from families is something she holds close: “They are thinking, ‘I know my child is there, safe.’ They're comfortable, secure, and they feel like they can trust us with their children, which is, to me, it's loving.”
What they'd tell their younger selves
When asked to describe their work to their younger selves, both educators reach for the same word: privilege.
“I honestly feel like it's a privilege to be an educator, especially as a young Aboriginal woman,” says Shania. “Just coming into a space where you might be having the toughest day, you know, the toughest morning and not doing so good at home, but as soon as that time hits at 9 o'clock, where our kids come through that door... and they say, ‘Oh, Auntie Nia and Auntie May, good morning!’ And they tell us about their night and what they got up to on the weekend. And if they need a cuddle, they give us that cuddle.”
May keeps her vision clear and grounded: “If I can change a child's life in any shape or form, this is what I want to do.”
Looking ahead
For May and Shania, the future is about more of what already works: strong educators, quality care, and children who know they belong.
“More strong education, good quality staff – which we all are, we are all good together and work as a great team,” says May. “I love them all.”
“I hope that children continue to have access to quality education and care,” says Shania, “And knowing that there's a place where they feel safe, they feel supported and loved, and that they have access to strong, quality educators that are willing to listen and willing to let them have a voice.”
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