A student walks into the library looking for “something to read”.
They’re not really a reader. They’ve tried books before and nothing has clicked. They shrug when asked what they like and seem unconvinced that a book can possibly hold their attention.
Then, a few days later, they’re back.
This time, they’re carrying a novel they can’t stop talking about.
For Ali Ripberger, those moments never lose their magic.
As Information Services Coordinator at St Aloysius College, Adelaide, Ali has spent 25 years helping young people discover the power of stories. While her pathway has taken her from primary classrooms to teacher librarianship, one thing has remained constant throughout her career is a belief that the right book can open doors, spark curiosity and help young people better understand themselves and the world around them.
A dream that began early
Unlike many educators whose careers took unexpected turns, Ali always knew what she wanted to do.
“From a very young age, it was my dream to be a teacher,” she said.
“It has always felt like more than a career choice. I feel it is part of who I am and what I was meant to do.”
Her inspiration came in part from watching her mother, a dedicated educator whose professionalism, commitment and high standards left a lasting impression.
Later, an English teacher helped nurture Ali’s love of literature and introduced her to the transformative power of great storytelling.
That influence continues to shape her work today.
The right book at the right time
Over the course of her career, Ali has worked with learners of all ages, from young children encountering stories for the first time to university students exploring ideas through literature and research.
Yet some of her most rewarding moments arise from something deceptively simple: helping a student find a book they genuinely love.
“The moments that mean the most to me are when a student decides to give a book a chance that I’ve encouraged them to try,” she said.
There is one particular moment she never tires of seeing.
Students return to the library with bright smiles, eager to discuss what they have read and ask for another recommendation.
For Ali, these interactions are especially meaningful when the student has not engaged with reading for some time.
“To connect students with books that bring them joy is an absolute privilege.”
More than books
While literature sits at the centre of Ali’s work, the heart of teaching has always been relationships.
Building genuine connections with students and accompanying them through part of their journey is something she values deeply.
“Watching students grow, learn and find their place in the world is something I feel immensely grateful for,” she said.
The library often becomes a place where those relationships can flourish. It is a space where students can explore new ideas, ask questions, discover interests and simply be themselves.
For Ali, these daily interactions are a reminder that education is about far more than academic achievement.
It is about helping young people grow in confidence, identity and understanding.
Guided by kindness and grace
Ali describes her faith as a foundation for the way she approaches her work and her relationships with students.
“An outworking of faith, for me, is the deeply held belief that love, kindness and grace should shape my interactions with students,” she said.
These values influence not only how she teaches, but how she listens, supports and encourages the young people in her care.
A community where students belong
One of the reasons Ali values Catholic education so highly is the sense of community it creates.
At St Aloysius College, she sees the Mercy values lived out each day in the ways staff and students support one another.
“The most rewarding part of teaching in a Catholic school is being part of a community where our Mercy values are not just words in a vision statement, but values that are genuinely lived out every day,” she said.
For Ali, Catholic schools play an important role in helping young people feel safe, accepted and supported as they discover who they are.
They provide environments where students are encouraged to grow not only in knowledge, but also in compassion, confidence and purpose.
And while books may fill the shelves of the library she leads, Ali knows that some of the most important stories being written are those of the students themselves.
Every day, she has the privilege of helping them turn the page and begin the next chapter.