If you have a dream you should really follow it and not wait until next year or even next week. Have faith in yourself, take the first step, jump in and do what you can NOW as the opportunity may not be there later. There is always a way. You just have to find that way. Nothing is impossible even though it can often be very difficult.

Karan Chandler is a ‘semi-retired’ teacher living on a small farm in Tamworth with her husband Richard. Despite a difficult first marriage and a life-threatening illness, Karan has continually studied throughout her life, exploring many subjects and completing two degrees. She is also a successful writer and has published many books. Two of her most recent publications include one on the Gamilaraay Aboriginal language and another on Japanese folk tales. Karan has three adult children. Her grandson currently lives with her during term time while he attends high school. Karan enjoys the challenges of being a part-time ‘parent’ to Josh and spending leisure time writing, sewing, gardening and hosting overseas visitors.

What gave you the motivation/inspiration to follow your dream?

I had lots of encouragement and was motivated to learn at an early age from some amazing women. My mother was into literature and art. She bought me many texts, French books and records. I had two exceptional primary school teachers and a Grandmother who was also a teacher. I was exposed to other cultures and learning for as long as I can remember and all these women have left a lasting impression on me.

At what point did you realise that your dream was actually possible and what was it that made you think you could really do it?

My mother died suddenly of a heart attack in my last year of high school when I was 15. I thought that was the end of my dream to become a teacher, as I had lots of pressure to stay at home and look after my father, my siblings and a foster sister who was mentally challenged. I spent nine months caring for the family while my father drank heavily to salve his grief. Mum was the rock of the family so my father found it very hard to cope once she was gone, and his business went bankrupt within two years. Despite the pressure to stay home I managed a good result and was accepted into Teachers’ College in Bathurst with a teaching scholarship I supplemented with sewing.

When you were a child, what did you want to ‘be’ when you grew up?

I spent most of my growing years in Dubbo. We moved there from Sydney when I was 11 as my father wanted to open his own business. Education was, and is, my enduring passion. I have wanted to be a teacher from my earliest memory and have always been greedy for learning and knowledge.

How did your childhood influence you in later life?

Initially I wanted to study economics at university but my life changed when Mum died and I ended up with a two year Teacher’s Certificate and have made the most of opportunities that came my way. My first appointment was at Nevertire, a four-teacher school out west. It was a great learning experience as we had to be so multiskilled. I’ve taught in many areas within the education sector including special education, talented students, dance, Japanese, and multicultural and social studies. Teaching for me has been so much more than just standing in front of a class. I like to be active and have students participate fully. While teaching Japanese I took groups to Japan and had Japanese students and teachers visit us. Real educational experiences are about sharing culture and stories, not just sitting at a desk, reading out of a book or passing a test. I have taken this approach in every subject I have taught.

Who are your role models?

Mum was a very caring and giving but determined woman and used to take in foster children regularly. They stayed for periods of six weeks to 15 years. She would also make cakes for the orphanages and sew for charities. Mum has definitely been my greatest role model.

What does success mean to you?

I truly believe if you have the commitment and like what you are doing then success naturally follows. My idea of success is to be happy, healthy and be able to share knowledge with other people. To see my children do well and be satisfied with who they are also contributes to my feelings of success. It doesn’t matter how many books I write, how many degrees I have or how much money I have in the bank, if happiness is absent then I don’t feel successful. I was once shortlisted for a high-ranking job in Sydney. I went to see where I’d be working and living. I found I would have to pay a small fortune for food I could grow at home and tackle traffic or be in a crush of people on public transport. I realised that my quality of life in Tamworth was worth more than an enhanced pay cheque. I decided to stay with a job I liked where, at the end of the day, I could sit on the verandah, sip a cold beer and look across the paddocks at the cattle and the mountains. Peace, happiness and quality of life cannot be bought.

What has been one of the biggest barriers you have had to face, what happened, and how did you overcome it?

The first major barrier was my mother’s early and sudden death which had a profound effect on our family life. I then married a man who was emotionally cruel, had little value for women and cared little for me or the children. He gambled heavily and spent more time on racehorses and bowls than with his family. He thought further education was a waste of time. I then got a tumour on my throat and thought that it was the end for me. While I was in hospital I made a vow that if I came through, I’d write a book, buy a house, leave my husband and start a new life … and I did. My belief in myself and overcoming each of these adversities has certainly made me stronger. I have this mantra: when things are at their lowest, they must go up as there is nowhere else to go! Believing it can make it so.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? What is your vision for the future?

I am happy with my life and I don’t see it being too different to how it is now. I am 60 but feel 40! I have a few more educational books on the shelf ready to go. Once these are finished I’d like to work on something lighter such as ‘down on the farm’ or ‘the funny side of teaching’. I like creating and making things and hope to have the time to do more. I also hope to travel a lot more with my husband, maybe do some casual tutoring, a little writing and host more foreign guests.

What would you like to say to other women who may be just starting out on a Daring to Dream journey?

If you have a dream you should really follow it and not wait until next year or even next week. Have faith in yourself, take the first step, jump in and do what you can NOW as the opportunity may not be there later. There is always a way. You just have to find that way. Nothing is impossible even though it can often be very difficult.

My first husband didn’t like me studying and constantly told me I was stupid. I studied in secret and when I heard the car coming up the drive I’d hide the books and pull out the sewing. I did that every day until I got my degree with some excellent results. Don’t listen to anyone who says you can’t … because know what? You can