Indonesian teacher Mimi Thorpe is celebrated for her ability to bridge cultures, inspire students

Cardijn College Indonesian language teacher Mimi Thorpe reveals why teaching is her “passion” and how her students motivate her to do better.

Mimi Thorpe always felt destined for teaching but she had no idea of the impact she would go on to have.

Her career began a decade ago as an English teacher in Indonesia and after two years, she travelled to Australia on a scholarship, falling in love with not only the country but her future husband.

Ms Thorpe since distinguished herself as an esteemed Indonesian teacher at Cardijn College in South Australia, celebrated for her ability to bridge cultures and inspire her students.

She was nominated in the Australia’s Best Teachers campaign by retired Cardijn College principal Paul Rijken for her ability to create a “real love of language and culture with her students”.

“Mimi is an outstanding language teacher of Indonesian … her energy and love of language is really showing with her students,” Mr Rijken said.

He also praised Ms Thorpe for establishing a relationship with schools in Java, Indonesia, so her students could interact with them in their language via video link.

Mimi Thorpe (third from left) with students (from left) Lauri, Elena, Mia, Alice and Marlee in Indonesian traditional dress at Cardijn College on the occasion of the signing of the MoU partnership between Catholic Education SA and the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney. Picture: Supplied

Ms Thorpe played a pivotal role in facilitating the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra and Catholic Education South Australia in 2022, establishing her school as the Indonesian program hub.

This agreement signalled a commitment to enhanced cooperation, including promoting language and cultural education, sharing learning materials, forming partnerships, engaging with communities and developing teachers.

Ms Thorpe, affectionately referred to as “Bu” – Indonesian for “Mrs” – by her students, said her passion for teaching was ignited by her late mother, who was a school principal in her home country.

“Teaching is the only thing that I want to do, my passion, my life,” she said.

“I think because my late mum was a principal, before I even started school she would take me to work and get me involved in the activities she was doing, she’s one of the best principals I’ve seen.”

In the past decade, Ms Thorpe said there had been many moments to galvanise her career choice but nothing beat the feeling of hearing about the success of past students.

“One of my ex-students, he got a scholarship from Harvard University in Indonesia, then only seven people got the scholarship, and he said, ‘Bu, this is because of you, you are my inspiration’, Ms Thorpe said.

“I feel so emotional about it and I feel so privileged to show students they truly have the ability to achieve their best in life.”

Mimi Thorpe incorporates dance and music into the students’ learning so they experience full cultural immersion. Picture: iStock

As a Reception to Year 8, Ms Thorpe said she continually looked for opportunities to connect with external Indonesian programs and the SA Indonesian community to bring in workshops, such as dance and music, so the students experienced full cultural immersion.

“This helps make students want to know more and be curious about Indonesia,” she said.

“And then when they travel to places like Bali, they are just so excited to tell me like, ‘Bu, we just travelled to Bali, I used this word, I talked to the local using this and that’, they are just so thrilled to share that experience.”

“Me and the students, we have such beautiful connections, I’m just so emotionally getting involved in whatever I’m doing with the students because I’m doing it from my heart,” she said.

“I just love, love being in the classroom. And if I have problems, I don’t even think about my problem when I’m with my students. We just have fun and learn.”

Originally published as Indonesian teacher Mimi Thorpe is celebrated for her ability to bridge cultures, inspire students