World Teachers’ Day on Friday 30 October celebrates teachers and the difference they make in children’s lives.
This year’s theme, ‘Shine a light on teachers’, puts their impact in the spotlight.
Hannah Stephen is an early childhood teacher at Coastal Cove Early Learning in Warrnambool. She was also a finalist in the 2025 Victorian Early Years Awards.
Hannah has worked in early childhood education for almost 15 years. She teaches 3- and 4-Year-Old Kindergarten programs.
She says she was drawn to teaching because it gave her the chance to support children at an important stage of their lives.
‘I am grateful to know that the experiences, relationships and little moments we create can have a lasting impact on a child.'
‘There is something pretty special about being part of their journey as they discover who they are and the world around them,’ Hannah said.
Following children’s curiosity
Hannah enjoys following children’s interests and seeing where their ideas lead.
‘Sometimes you might start the day with one plan, and before you know it, the children have taken you somewhere completely different,’ she said.
She says when her intentional teaching approach draws on child-directed learning, it can be some of the most rewarding work. She is motivated by seeing children’s faces light up when they have space, time and support to discover something for themselves.
Learning through exploration
Hannah is passionate about giving children opportunities to explore beyond the service.
Coastal Cove Early Learning runs a beach kindergarten program with support from a bush kinder grant received in 2025. The program gives children the chance to learn in a different environment and connect with their local area, community and Country.
Connecting with Country is an important part of the beach kinder experience. Each time they visit the beach, the children acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land.
‘The children now talk about how this is Eastern Maar Country and they are learning and playing on the shared lands of the Peek Whurrong and Kirrae Whurrong People of the Maar Nation. They understand that we need to say thank you,’ Hannah said.
‘Hearing the children express this understanding in their own words is really meaningful.’
The beach visits also help children notice, question and investigate the world around them.
‘Finding a feather, a shell or a tiny creature can create so much excitement and lead to so many questions and conversations,’ she said.
Hannah leads beach kinder 3 to 4 times each term. She says that children become more settled, engaged and confident as they become more familiar with the experience.
A new challenge each day
Hannah said her team, the culture at Coastal Cove Early Learning and the children themselves keep her excited about her work.
‘No two days are ever the same,’ she said. ‘The children’s questions and ideas constantly excite me and challenge me to think differently’.
Hannah hopes her time with the children will stay with them long after they leave kindergarten.
‘More than anything, I hope they remember feeling loved, safe, listened to and believed in,’ she said.
She also hopes they remember the fun and adventures they shared through Beach Kinder and develop a sense of wonder.
For Hannah, helping children build confidence and curiosity is an important part of her work.
‘If they leave feeling confident in who they are, curious about the world around them and knowing that their voice matters, then I feel I have done my job.’
Find out more
For more information about World Teachers’ Day, visit World Teachers’ Day.
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