The brightest teachers of tomorrow have been recognised for their academic excellence, professional standards and quality research at Curtin University's annual School of Education awards ceremony.
Economist turned mature-age graduate Caroline Constant, who teaches in Kununurra, was awarded the Australian College of Educators (WA Chapter) Award for her commitment to academic and professional excellence.
Korumburra Primary School Year 1 teacher Andre Hetebrueg was named The Broadley SPERA Award for Outstanding Regional Student for achieving excellence in his overall academic performance during the course.
Ranford Primary School Year 2 teacher Clare Baker received five awards, including the Early Years in Education Society Award, The Early Childhood Australia Internship Award, Australian Association of Special Education Award, Mathematical Association of Western Australia Pre-Service Teacher Award for Early Childhood Mathematics and the Child Australia Early Learning Education Award.
Curtin University School of Education Head Professor Jeff Brooks congratulated the 18 recipients of 26 awards at the annual ceremony, which was hosted by School of Education Professor John Williams and attended by Professor Jon Yorke, Interim Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, who delivered an inspirational address.
"For almost 50 years, Curtin has been training teachers to work in a fast-changing world and I am absolutely delighted with the calibre of teachers that have been recognised at this year's School of Education awards ceremony," Professor Brooks said.
"We all know the difference one life-changing interaction with a passionate teacher can have on the next generation, so it gives me great joy to acknowledge our very best and brightest graduates."
The School of Education award recipients include:
- Miles Medal Award for Excellence in Education: Jessica Johnston
- Pat Duffy Medal for Excellence in Art Education: Daine Pulver
- Walter D Neal Award for Excellence in Educational Research: Malcolm Kirkwood
- Australian College of Educators (WA Chapter) Award: Caroline Constant
- John Lake Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the Master of Education : Sarah Dowling
- Western Australian Secondary School Executives Association Award: Jack Noonan
- Early Years in Education Society Award: Clare Baker
- Teachers Mutual Bank Excellence in Research: Amber Eilander
- The Broadley SPERA Award for Outstanding Regional Student: Andre Hetebrueg
- Australian Literacy Educators Association (Perth) Local Council Award for Excellence in Literacy Education: Melanie Jones
- The Early Childhood Australia Internship Award: Clare Baker
- Australian Association of Special Education Award Clare Baker
- Academic Excellence Award - Chinese: Paul Miller
- Japanese Association of Western Australia Academic Excellence Award: Alchenny Agyputri
- The Rieko Ishikawa Award: Alchenny Agyputri
- Westralian Association of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Award: Luke Boucher
- Primary English Teaching Association Australia Award for Excellence: Jessica Johnston
- Science Teachers' Association of Western Australia Pre-Service Teacher Award for Early Childhood Science: Shanell Ascoli
- The Open University Australia Award in Education: Kate O'Neill
- Science Teachers' Association of Western Australia Pre-Service Teacher Award for Primary Science: Kate O'Neill
- Science Teachers' Association of Western Australia Pre-Service Teacher Award for Secondary Science: Stephanie Kobayashi-Sprague
- Mathematical Association of Western Australia Pre-Service Teacher Award for Early Childhood Mathematics: Clare Baker
- Mathematical Association of Western Australia Pre-Service Teacher Award for Primary Mathematics: Jessica Johnston
- Western Australian Institute of Educational Research Award: Scott Gaines
- Child Australia Early Learning Education Award: Clare Baker
- History and Social Science Award: Leon Schneider
For more information about Curtin's School of Education, visit here.
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Notes to Editor:
The Broadley SPERA Award for Outstanding Regional Student Winner
Name: Mr Andre Hetebrueg
School: Korumburra Primary School
Level: Year 1
Comment: I want to inspire young people to wonder and I want them to know that they can be good people regardless of their academic outcomes as long as they give it their best go and leave nothing behind. Children should have the confidence to know that they can reach high and should not be afraid to fail but stand up and persist, I hope I can instil this attitude.
The Australian College of Educators (WA Chapter) Award Winner
Name: Ms Caroline Constant
Residence: Kununurra
Occupation: Business Lecturer at TAFE and teaches at St Joseph's Catholic School and East Kimberley College
Comment: I always wanted to be a teacher. Since I was a little kid, I used to teach my friends and family on a variety of topics. I remember at age 10 teaching the alphabet to my younger sister at home just for fun. Yet life got in the way and I became an economist, which I also loved but was not my true calling. I love being able to guide students into a journey of discovery as well as being a role model for them. I love preparing resources and seeking interesting 'hooks' that will have students create links between the classroom and the real world. I also love being able to bring diversity into classrooms. With the increasing number of children and students from diverse backgrounds in classrooms, it is really important they feel represented by those teaching them.
The Early Years in Education Society Award, The Early Childhood Australia Internship Award, Australian Association of Special Education Award, Mathematical Association of Western Australia Pre-Service Teacher Award for Early Childhood Mathematics and the Child Australia Early Learning Education Award Winner
Name: Mrs Clare Baker
Teaches: Year 2 at Ranford Primary School in Canningvale
Comment: I have always worked with children – first in Early Learning Centres (before having my own children) and then as a Mainstream and Special Needs Education Assistant. I have always loved children and thought I had some skills to bring to a classroom as a teacher. A few teachers (and good friends) encouraged me to pursue teaching. My husband and I decided that the sacrifice of 4 years full-time study with a family was worth the end result of becoming a teacher. I love making learning fun and interesting and I always try to encourage my class to be positive and caring people with a love of learning. It's really important to me that all children get to explore their strengths, whatever they are.
