Katherine-based Trainer Danielle is a big advocate for learners who haven’t felt supported in traditional educational environments. With a background spanning hairdressing, coaching, youth support and education, Danielle brings empathy and a lifelong commitment to community into everything she does.
Today, she plays a key role in supporting foundational training across the Katherine region, helping people reconnect with learning, become more confident and access lifechanging opportunities.
Compassion and community
Danielle delivers Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) skills training to beginner learners, many of whom are restarting their learning journey after periods of disruption or hardship. Much of her work takes place at the Venndale Drug and Rehabilitation Centre, where she creates culturally safe and trauma-informed learning experiences designed to meet each learner’s level and needs.
“My job isn’t just a checklist of lessons,” Danielle said. “It’s about building trust and helping people realise that they can learn. When someone starts believing in themselves, everything changes.”
Using visual cues, hands-on activities and a holistically supportive approach, Danielle empowers learners to develop skills they can use in everyday life.
Lessons from an LLND Trainer
Danielle’s approach is guided by empathy, flexibility and genuine connection, qualities she believes are essential in education.
“A lot of learners haven’t had positive experiences with traditional education,” she said. “You have to slow down, listen and show up authentically.”
Her advice for anyone interested in LLND or community education is simple but powerful:
“Be flexible, be kind and be real. This is about understanding the person in front of you and finding ways to make learning meaningful for them.”
Beyond the classroom
When she’s not teaching, Danielle’s world is full of family and hobbies. She’s a mum of four and coaches a local high school sports team (“Go Baby Camels!”), where she helps young people develop their teamwork skills and resilience.
On weekends when her husband is home from FIFO work, the family explores the Katherine region together, enjoying beautiful rivers, beaches and wide-open landscapes. “It’s our way of grounding ourselves and creating lasting memories.”
Small wins, big impact
Danielle’s proudest memories come from watching her learners experience breakthroughs that transform their confidence.
One standout moment was creating visual literacy tools and culturally-aligned learning materials for Venndale participants.
“Seeing learners engage with resources that reflect their world and watching their confidence grow was incredibly rewarding.”
Another moment she won’t forget involved a learner who spent months trying to obtain his birth certificate. He was able to use the document alongside his STEPS Participant ID Card to sit the learner licence test. After hours of studying and practising the test in class, he passed!
“The pride on his face was unforgettable,” Danielle said. “It created a ripple effect in the whole class, and reminded everyone that small steps can lead to lifechanging achievements.”
About STEPS Spotlight
STEPS Spotlight is our way of celebrating the incredible people who make up the STEPS team.
Each month, we share the story of a staff member whose passion, dedication and unique journey help shape the heart of our organisation.
Stay tuned for more stories across the STEPS community, or in the meantime, revisit our previous profiles!
