Joel Denduck explains why he decided to become a teacher

A new young Fraser Coast teacher reveals why it was important for him to take the path he has chosen.

An under-representation of young indigenous men in higher education is what set a former youth worker on the path to becoming a teacher.

Joel Denduck, 30, graduated from the Fraser Coast campus of the University of the Sunshine Coast with a Bachelor of Primary Education earlier in October 2022.

“I hope through my story, I can be that motivating factor for indigenous people who might consider teaching as a career and university as a pathway to their career goals,” Joel, a South Sea islander and Taribelang Bunda man from the Bundaberg region, said.

He is now teaching Year 5 students at Hervey Bay’s Star of the Sea Catholic School, a role he began just days after completing a Bachelor of Primary Education at USC’s Fraser Coast campus last semester.

“Through my previous experience working with disengaged youth I was lucky to see first-hand how valuable teachers are to young people in the community, which really inspired me to choose teaching as a career,” he said.

Joel Denduck, 30, graduated from the Fraser Coast campus of the University of the Sunshine Coast with a Bachelor of Primary Education in October 2022.

“I enjoy working with young people and watching them succeed. Seeing those light bulb moments now where my students begin to understand and apply the teaching and learning in the classroom is always a highlight.”

Part of the draw for Joel was being in a position where he can positively influence the lives of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

“I want these students to look at me as proof that they can be successful as learners and continue on to further study or employment that provides them a quality life in the future,” Joel said.

Joel Denduck graduates with a Bachelor of Primary Education.

“Those who knew me as a kid are probably as surprised as I am that teaching is now my profession, however, over the years I found myself in a position where I was surrounded by people who believed in me and opened my eyes to what my future could be.”

Joel said the support from USC Fraser Coast lecturers and tutors contributed to his success.

“They engaged with me in a way that gave me confidence in my ability and encouraged me to work to the best of my ability,” he said.

Joel Denduck, 30, graduated from the Fraser Coast campus of the University of the Sunshine Coast with a Bachelor of Primary Education earlier this month.

UniSC Associate Director of Indigenous Services Rachel Woodford said that having a new male indigenous teacher in the Butchulla community was a great beacon for other young community members who could aspire to being educators too.

“You can’t be what you can’t see. Through seeing Joel’s lived experience but also a proud indigenous man teaching, the benefits are enormous,” Ms Woodford said.

“Our young men don’t traditionally see teaching as a role of choice. It’s been predominantly our women.

“However, we know across all of education, more diversity is required. As an indigenous teacher, this will also be very relatable to our young indigenous people,” she said.

“It also provides an invaluable cultural lens that only an indigenous teacher, on staff, can bring to the school. In support of embedding cultural knowledges into the curriculum, Joel will be an invaluable asset.”