Loredana Axiak has spent 15 years shaping young minds with compassion, creativity, and faith. As a Year 2 teacher at St Paul of the Cross in Dulwich Hill, she is known for her gentle encouragement and her commitment to helping every child feel seen, supported, and capable. Guided by her strong sense of purpose and her Catholic faith, Loredana brings both heart and skill to the classroom, creating a learning environment where students can grow academically, emotionally, and spiritually.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
What inspired me to become a teacher was the impact of the wonderful educators I had growing up. Their kindness, creativity, and belief in me left a lasting impression. I remember how they made learning feel exciting and safe, a place where I could grow, make mistakes, and feel seen. I realised I wanted to offer that same sense of encouragement and possibility to others. Now, after 15 years in the classroom, I still find joy in those small but powerful moments. Teaching allows me to witness growth every day, and that’s what continues to inspire me.
Can you share a moment in your career where you really felt you made a difference?
One moment that stands out in my career was working with a Year 1 student who struggled deeply with confidence in reading. At the beginning of the year, she would avoid eye contact and often say, “I can’t do it.” I made it a priority to check in with her daily, celebrating small wins, choosing texts that matched her interests, and gently encouraging her to take risks. Midway through the year, something shifted. She began volunteering to read aloud during shared reading and even helped a peer sound out tricky words. Her face lit up when she realised she could read a whole fluency passage on her own. That moment watching her beam with pride and say, “I did it!”. This was a powerful reminder of why I teach.
How does your faith shape your teaching approach?
My faith shapes my teaching approach by grounding everything I do in compassion, purpose, and hope. It reminds me that each child is unique, valued, and capable of growth, not just academically, but emotionally and spiritually. I strive to create a classroom where kindness is modelled, mistakes are embraced as part of learning, and every student feels seen and supported. Faith also guides how I respond to challenges, with patience and empathy. It encourages me to teach with integrity, to nurture respectful relationships, and to help students develop not only skills, but character. In a Catholic school, I’m grateful for the opportunity to weave values like love, forgiveness, and service into everyday learning. Whether it’s through prayer, reflection, or simply the way we treat one another, faith helps me create a space where children can grow into thoughtful, compassionate people.
What’s the most rewarding part of teaching in a Catholic school?
The most rewarding part of teaching in a Catholic school is the opportunity to nurture the whole child, academically, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s a privilege to help students grow in their faith while developing their character and learning skills. I love that we can openly talk about values like kindness, forgiveness, and service, and weave them into everyday learning. There’s a strong sense of community and purpose in Catholic education. We’re not just teaching content, we’re helping children understand who they are, how they belong, and how they can make a positive difference in the world. That deeper connection makes the work incredibly meaningful.