One assistant principal at a Victorian primary school balances her busy career in education with another important role – being a foster carer.
In her current leadership role, Erin supports vulnerable children, their families, and the teachers who work with them every day. After more than 20 years in the primary school system, she says, ‘What I love most is making sure children have the support they need so they can thrive and learn.’
But it was what she saw beyond the classroom that led her to foster care.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Erin, her husband Colin and their 2 children to take the next step. Through her work, she had seen children in care waiting in school offices, unsure who was picking them up from school or in some cases, where they would sleep that night.
‘I’d see them sitting there with their bag, not knowing what was next. That stayed with me,’ she says.
They realised they had something to offer – a spare room and a willingness to help.
After contacting MacKillop Family Services, their fostering journey began with emergency care, stepping in when children needed a place to stay, often with very short notice. Usually, it was just for one night or the weekend, but occasionally those stays turned into a week. Over time, they’ve cared for more than 20 children, from babies to teenagers.
‘It’s amazing how you make it work,’ she says. ‘You find space, you adjust, and everyone pitches in.’
One of the biggest rewards has been seeing the difference a stable, caring environment can make. Erin shares the story of a young boy who came to them with significant challenges. At the age of 3, he couldn’t communicate verbally and had developmental delays. Today, nearly 2 years later, he has flourished into a confident and bubbly member of the family.
‘Now we can’t stop him talking,’ she laughs. ‘He just needed the opportunity.’
Fostering has also had a powerful impact on her own family. Erin’s teenage children are fully involved in the decision-making and care. ‘It’s helped them become more compassionate and adaptable,’ she says. ‘They just step in and help.’
The whole family works together to make each child feel welcome, whether it’s simple activities like going to the park, watching movies, or sharing new experiences. ‘You meet the child where they’re at,’ she explains.
Balancing a busy leadership role with fostering isn’t always easy, but she believes the experience gained from being a teacher helps. ‘We look after other people’s kids every day. We build relationships, we support them, we care about them, we want the best for them. For me, fostering is an extension of that.’
Strong support also makes a difference. Their fostering team works around the family’s schedules and steps in when needed. ‘Some days, it really takes a village,’ she says.
For other teachers who might be thinking about fostering, Erin’s message is simple: start small. Emergency or respite care is a great way to begin, and there’s always flexibility. ‘When you get the phone call to help, and it’s not going to work at that time, you can say no. They understand, and I’ve never felt pressured,’ she says.
Most importantly, Erin wants others to know that foster carers aren’t extraordinary people. ‘We’re just normal people, helping out where we can,’ she says.
At its heart, fostering is about offering stability, care and kindness when it’s needed most. And for teachers, that’s something they’re already doing every day.
Find out more about foster care at www.mackillop.org.au/fostercare
