Amy Hickey-Buchanan is inspired to travel to third world countries to teach after mentoring Wagga students with a refugee background.
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A third year education student at Wagga’s Charles Sturt University, Ms Hickey-Buchanan is one of many volunteers who are giving their time to help students develop at Wagga High School and Turvey Park Public School.
“I’ve been doing it for eight sessions now and I think I’ll continue because I can really see the students benefiting,” Ms Hickey-Buchanan said.
“It helps me to learn to teach students of all backgrounds.”
Ms Hickey-Buchanan said the students feel comfortable opening up to their mentors.
“My student is bright and bubbly and will ask me questions she wouldn’t ask the teacher,” Ms Hickey-Buchanan said.
“Some of the students won't ask questions because they're afraid to sound silly but they feel better about a one on one session.”
Education lecturer Dr Kiprono Langat said teachers have several students to focus on but a mentor can work on the needs of the individual student.
“Day to day learning can be heavy for those with a refugee background,” Dr Langat said.
“The mentors can work with them to help to ease the burden.”