As a young local girl attending Westport High many years ago, Linda Best never considered the possibility of one day returning to take up the position of Head Teacher of English. Last term she started her new role after four years in a similar position at Lightning Ridge.

After her HSC, Linda went straight into studying an Arts degree at university, but believes she wasn’t ready to return to full time study. During that year Linda fell pregnant and decided to take time to attend to her new baby.

The prospect of returning to university or the workforce was daunting so she decided to enrol in a course at Port Macquarie TAFE that helped women transit back into employment or further study.

“The CEEW (Career Education and Employment for Women) course opened my eyes to the potential of education. Seeing the women blossom over six months as they became aware of their confidence, intelligence and achievements was inspirational. It was then that I started to make plans to become a teacher and developed my time management and organisational skills,” Linda said.

Linda decided to try university again, and with six months to wait for her degree to begin, enrolled in a half year multimedia course at North Coast TAFE to expand her technology skills.

“I’m still very good friends with my TAFE teacher and even while I was in Lightning Ridge I kept in touch. Apart from an appealing job offer, I had to come back because I also missed the cultural activities, fresh seafood and sound of the ocean in Port Macquarie. I guess you could say I’ve come full circle!” Linda said.