Originally from Jamacia, Dawn grew up the youngest of eleven children and this year became the first in her family to complete a PhD. For her, education gave her the opportunity to realise her dreams, advocate for herself, and to have a voice. “No matter the circumstances of your birth, education will take you where nothing else can. My life would have been completely different without education. Both of my parents – because of colonisation – did not go beyond primary school. My father finished at third grade,” explains Dawn. “You would think it would be impossible for us to break that barrier, but education was what lifted us out of that economic class that we would have stayed in because of our lack of money. More importantly is what it does for you as a person.”
“Those who can, do, those who can’t, teach” is a phrase that has, in her words, haunted Dawn for a long time. After completing her Business Administration and Accounting degree at Northern Caribbean University, she aspired to work for wealthy philanthropists and businesspeople. When living in London, she met a couple from Poland at church one week who asked if she wanted teach English to Business students there. She was amused at the thought because she was a doer. “I never wanted to become a teacher” laughs Dawn. After listening to God’s call and taking that teaching job in Poland she fell in love with teaching on her own terms. She realised the significance of this calling to teach once she saw the impact on her students – in Poland she taught students of all ages, the oldest of whom was 70 years old.
She spent 14 years teaching in Poland, and it’s where she met her now husband and started a family. When they made the move to Australia, her Master of Teaching she received in the UK wasn’t recognised. Moving to Cooranbong meant they were close to Avondale so Dawn could complete her second Master of Teaching. Upon completion, the family moved to Adelaide for her job at Prescott College Southern. After two years in South Australia, they moved back to Sydney, where Dawn taught at Macarthur Adventist College. Throughout her teaching career Dawn has focused on improving literacy through learning support and empowering staff and students to reach their full academic potential. Dawn has since worked within independent schools in Australia.
In 2020 she embarked on her PhD journey, which she completed in 2025. She explored coaching in education as an alternative to traditional professional learning for teachers. She saw a need in this area as many teachers exit the profession due to various factors including lack of support. Focusing on literacy, this ensured her research was specific and niche. “Coaching is a great way of helping teachers to stay within the profession as it develops their efficacy and helps them feel supported, which is so important in your workplace” says Dawn.
“If anyone is thinking of doing a PhD, they need someone who will help them rationalise and look at why they want to do their study” reflects Dawn. For her this person was Associate Professor Peter Kilgour. She also had two more supervisors, Associate Professor Sherry Hattingh and Dr Kevin Petrie, who she says encouraged, prayed and supported her throughout the process.
Dawn is passionate about inclusive education and is deeply committed to supporting students with disabilities. She believes every child can thrive with the right support and works to ensure they are equipped to participate meaningfully in life and community, regardless of the nature or degree of their disability. Her personal journey and cross-cultural experience have also enabled Dawn to connect and support indigenous students and educators.
“The part of my work that I find most fulfilling, and always have, is being with students. There is no doubt that I am here for them, wherever that is. I enjoy being in leadership, but being with students, face to face, is what wakes me up early and I am not an early riser,” Dawn laughs earnestly. Being able to help her students and connect with them to dream big is what drives her, it’s also an echo from her own journey.
What does she believe students today need the most? “Safety” says Dawn. “They need to know that there is a space for them where they can be themselves and not be bullied or hurt in any way. They also need to be seen… and feel a sense of belonging”.
Her dreams for education in Australia? “More equity in education. So that people can get the best education, the best teachers, principal, and resources, no matter where they live… All students deserve the best investment in their education. If you only do what is right and accessible for those who can afford it, you don’t make society better” explains Dawn.
Dawn has recently become the Principal at Warrah Specialist School, located in Dural, in Northwestern Sydney. The school focuses on students with profound disabilities, as well as other various disabilities. It is the first and only Stiener School in Australia for students with special needs, focusing on holistic education. The rhythm of each day is very specific and child centred. Lessons include farming and woodwork, practical ways for students to engage and respect the process of growing and making.
“This form of teaching and learning is new to me; however, I grew up with this kind of learning, [where] we were used to doing a lot of things with our hands, and make learning come out of any [situation]” reflects Dawn on this full circle education moment.
Dawn’s journey shows how education can break barriers. For her, success in her field is, “embedding biblical truths in my teaching and using scripture within the learning spaces.” Education is Dawn’s superpower and a gift she wants to give everyone, “it's not something that anyone can take away from you”.
Dr Dawn Grant-Skiba was awarded the 2025 Alumna of the Year at Homecoming on August 23.