Mum motivates trio to teach
When Olivia, Caitlin and Marcus Luxford were contemplating their career paths – mum Annette was front of mind.
“Ever since a young age, becoming a teacher has always been a career I had thought about pursuing,” CQUniversity Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with distinction alumnus Olivia Luxford said.
“Mum has probably been the biggest influencing factor in choosing education, watching her raise five kids as a single mother whilst teaching full time has been nothing short of an inspiration.
“Although we witnessed the amount of work she takes home, the extracurricular hours involved, and at times other challenges, nothing could scare us off the profession.
“Growing up it was very evident that she made a lasting positive impact on her students, and this was something I desired to replicate.”
Olivia, 25, is the eldest of the three siblings and said her family had faced a lot of childhood adversity with the death of their sister and father.
“Many children live with all sorts of hardships every day. My biggest reason for wanting to become a teacher is so that I can be a safe adult in my students’ life, that is always there to listen, support their wellbeing, guide and help develop their resilience so that they can overcome adversity. I’ve always wanted a rewarding job that can make a positive impact in people’s lives, and I have found that in teaching.”
Growing up in the small town of Tully in North Queensland, the Luxford siblings always knew the importance of community, family and education.
Raised in a household where teaching was not just a profession but a passion, it’s no surprise that all three have ended up finding themselves following in the footsteps of their mother, choosing to dedicate their lives to shaping young minds.
Caitlin, 21, is the middle of the three siblings and her journey into teaching wasn’t immediate.
After initially pursuing a degree in physiotherapy, she quickly realised that her heart was somewhere else.
Her childhood, surrounded by cousins and younger relatives, had instilled in her a love for nurturing children’s growth and curiosity.
So, encouraged by her mum and also her sister Olivia’s positive experience at CQUniversity, Caitlin transferred into CQU’s Bachelor of Education (Primary), eager to inspire young learners.
Now in her final year, the CQU student has embraced every aspect of her studies, particularly enjoying her professional placements.
“I am currently completing my placement at Weir State School which is located on the banks of the Ross River (Townsville),” Caitlin explained.
“This experience has been unique, as the school deeply integrates First Nations culture into everyday learning. This placement has been incredibly enriching, showing me the impact of cultural integration in education and the importance of fostering inclusivity in the classroom.”
Marcus, 18, is the youngest of the three and although he initially pursued a school-based apprenticeship in plumbing, he too soon realised that his true passion was elsewhere.
Encouraged by Caitlin and Olivia’s experiences, future student Marcus decided to pursue secondary education, with aspirations of teaching Manual Arts and Biology or Mathematics.
“My Mum and my sisters have inspired me to become a teacher, as I have seen how great they are at the job and how much they love their careers. I have also seen the big impact that they have had on their students’ lives, via voluntary activities and being a safe person for them to talk to in challenging times and I want to make a difference like that,” Marcus said.
To achieve his ambition to become a teacher, Marcus has enrolled in CQUniversity’s Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies (STEPS) program, which will allow him to transition into a Bachelor of Education.
“I have to do the STEPS program because I dropped one of my ATAR subjects (chemistry) in the second semester of Year 11 when I started my school-based apprenticeship in plumbing,” Marcus explained.
“I am looking forward to starting STEPS as it means I will be able to start my degree in July.”
All three are now well and truly on their pathways to educating our future generation, with Olivia already teaching, Caitlin soon-to-be teaching and Marcus a few years away from becoming a teacher.
This year Olivia is teaching Year 7, 8 and 10 science, Year 10 HPE and Year 11 and 12 biology at Good Counsel College in Innisfail where she finds immense joy in fostering strong relationships with her students, building an atmosphere of trust and respect in her classroom.
Her dedication and commitment was recognised when she was awarded the Early Career Teacher Docemus Award for the Cairns Diocese in 2024 - an honour that reinforced her passion for making a lasting impact.
“It was a huge honour to receive this award. I felt very proud of my hard work, and I appreciated that this not only received recognition from my colleagues who nominated me but also from the wider diocese. Receiving this award with my colleagues and family around me supporting was a very special moment to take in. This has easily been the biggest highlight of my career.”
Despite their different journeys, the Luxford siblings share a common goal: to inspire and uplift the next generation.
Their passion for teaching is deeply rooted in their upbringing, shaped by the strong role models in their family and the experiences that have led them to where they are today.
From primary classrooms to high school labs, they are each carving their own path in education - one lesson, one student and one meaningful connection at a time.
