With a background as a mechanical engineer, Adrian has given his Burnside State High School students a flying start in STEM by establishing unique courses in aviation and using drones.
Read Adrian's Story >The Teaching Awards Alumni are inspiring teachers and school leaders who exemplify how education can transform children’s lives, creating brighter opportunities for all young Australians.
Together, this growing cohort of outstanding educators are making a difference in and beyond their schools to influence and inform best practice, policy and the broader profession.
Read more about their achievements below.
Trent Cowley
Teaching Fellow
Kingston State School QLD
Gugingin and Yugambeh Speaking Country
When Trent became Principal of Kingston State School two years ago, the school had been identified as a Priority Support Review school characterised by extreme disadvantage, trauma, homelessness, poverty and unemployment.
Read Trent's Story >Jenna Cullen
Teaching Fellow
Marsden State High School QLD
Yuggera Country
Jenna has been instrumental in shaping Australia’s next generation of teachers as Head of Teaching and Learning, Staff Development, and Performance at Australia’s largest high school – Marsden State High School.
Read Jenna's Story >Daniel Edwards
Teaching Fellow
Montello Primary School TAS
Tommeginni Country
Transitioning from a general classroom teacher to become a STEM Specialist Teacher, Daniel has led a transformation in science and STEM education for students at Montello Primary School in Burnie.
Read Daniel's Story >Toni Hatten-Roberts
Teaching Fellow
Mastery Schools Australia QLD
Bundjalung Country
When Toni saw a lack of educational opportunities for students struggling in mainstream schools, she set out to fix it by founding a new, independent, special assistance school where, as Director of Teaching and Learning, she could structure the school’s entire learning agenda.
Read Toni's Story >Michael Hornby
Teaching Fellow
Mabel Park State High School QLD
Yuggera Country
Over the last seven years as Principal of Mabel Park State High School in Logan, Michael has transformed the school’s learning environment through a series of innovative interventions focused on supporting student wellbeing and engagement.
Read Michael's Story >Brendan Kenna
Teaching Fellow
Wilmot Road Primary School VIC
Ngurraiillam Country
As Deputy Principal at his regional Victorian school, Brendan has combined his passion for neuroscience and the impact of trauma on learning to create a unique culture of support for the students at Wilmot Road Primary School.
Read Brendan's Story >Peter Langham
Teaching Fellow
Monterey Secondary College VIC
Boonwurrung Country
When Peter was appointed Acting Principal of Monterey Secondary College in 2019 – the school’s third leader that year – he was confronted with extremely low staff morale, high turnover, declining enrolments, poor student achievement, and children disengaged from learning.
Read Peter's Story >Fransina Norval
Teaching Fellow
Tennant Creek High School NT
Warumungu Country
As Senior Teacher – Inclusion at Tennant Creek High School, Fransina has combined culturally informed practices with her wealth of experience teaching in special education across three continents, to revolutionise her school’s support for students with complex needs.
Read Fransina's Story >Ian Preston
Teaching Fellow
Murrumbidgee Regional High School NSW
Wiradjuri Country
During his time as Deputy Principal at Murrumbidgee Regional High School, Ian has championed STEM education and established himself as a leading teacher in this field across NSW, Australia and internationally.
Read Ian's Story >Stephanie Salazar
Teaching Fellow
John Purchase Public School NSW
Kur-ing-gai Country
Stephanie is the Assistant Principal and Instructional Coach at John Purchase Public School in north-western Sydney, where her expertise creating a network of teachers focused on professional development has transformed her school’s teaching and student learning.
Read Stephanie's Story >Shane Wilson
Teaching Fellow
Marble Bar Primary School WA
Nyamal Country
As Principal of the small, remote Marble Bar Primary School, located about 200km from Port Hedland, Shane has transformed the school into a state leader in culturally responsive STEM education.
Read Shane's Story >Justin Betts
Early Career Teacher
Sunnybank State High School QLD
Yuggera Country
Justin has initiated and led incredibly successful esports programs introducing new career pathways for his students, as well as increasing enrolments and engagement in cutting-edge STEM subjects.
Read Justin's Story >Kylie Chatfield
Early Career Teacher
Christmas Island District High School WA
As a Science teacher at the remote Christmas Island District High School, Kylie’s passion for ‘all things science’ has helped to transform her students’ learning, through studying and developing an appreciation of the special place where they live.
Read Kylie's Story >Jessica Cridland
Early Career Teacher
Monterey Secondary College VIC
Boonwurrung Country
As a teacher and the Year 7 Coordinator at Monterey Secondary College, Jessica has integrated trauma-informed practices and introduced innovative sporting programs to transform her students’ wellbeing and engagement in learning.
Read Jessica's Story >Stella Ding
Early Career Teacher
The Ponds High School NSW
Dharug Country
In just four years of teaching at The Ponds High School, Stella has designed new and innovative STEM opportunities for her students and made impressive contributions to student wellbeing and her colleagues’ professional development during lockdown.
Read Stella's Story >Liudmyla Kovalev
Early Career Teacher
Loganlea State High School QLD
Waka Waka Country
Since moving to Australia fresh out of university, she has used her passion for teaching to find new ways of engaging her students’ and inspiring their passion for learning.
Read Liudmyla's Story >Holly Millican
Early Career Teacher
South Grafton High School NSW
Gumbainggir Country
Holly’s dedication as a Maths teacher has inspired countless students at South Grafton High School and across NSW.
Read Holly's Story >Kathleen O’Rourke
Early Career Teacher
Cootamundra Public School NSW
Wiradjuri Country
At Cootamundra Public School in regional NSW, Kathleen has pioneered new data and research-informed teaching in her classroom to help her students on to greater levels of achievement.
Read Kathleen's Story >Alys Tipler
Early Career Teacher
Browns Plains State High School QLD
Yuggera Country
Taking on key roles beyond her classroom, Alys has helped shape her school’s literacy strategies and established herself as a leader in her school community.
Read Alys's Story >Claire Vogan
Early Career Teacher
Minyerri School NT
Alawa Country
In three years at the remote Northern Territory school of Minyerri, Claire has had remarkable success in engaging the community to lift educational goals.
Read Claire's Story >Lauren Walters
Early Career Teacher
St Agnes Catholic High School NSW
Dharug Country
Lauren has an enthusiasm and passion for innovative learning that has greatly assisted the students at St Agnes Catholic High School in western Sydney, particularly her pioneering work in helping to develop the school’s online learning programs.
Read Lauren's Story >