World Teachers’ Day competition winners reveal lessons learnt in 2020
29 October 2020
5
min read
QSuper is delighted to recognise the dedication, innovation and resilience of Queensland teachers in a year like no other by naming the winners of our 2020 World Teachers’ Day competition.
We invited teachers and educators, from both public and private education institutions, to tell us: What's one memorable lesson you've learnt from a student this year?
In a year in which the COVID-19 pandemic forced teachers to move from classrooms to living rooms and back again, we received hundreds of entries that illustrated the great relationships so many teachers have with their students, and just how much teachers have learnt in this tumultuous year.
Our panel found it incredibly difficult to choose winners from seven regions across Queensland, and we thank everyone who entered the competition. Congratulations to the winners listed with their comments:
Central Queensland – Hayley Duggan, Port Curtis Road State School
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‘Sometimes what the adults see is different to what the kids see, and if we just ask them - we might get to see it, too.’
Darling Downs South West – Denise Denning, TAFE South West
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‘We can all adapt. Despite sight issues and limited schooling, this student gained computer skills to learn English at home during COVID.’
Far North Queensland – Nicole Brereton, Cairns West State School
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‘I teach refugees. Don’t sweat the small stuff, appreciate little things. Don’t take anything for granted. Seeing them taste a strawberry for the first time, incredible!’
Metro – Sonia Veitch, Indooroopilly State High School
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‘Students with a disability are leaders in resilience, they outperform their peers because they negotiate obstacles on a daily basis, but constantly keep trying.’
North Coast – Kaye Gahan, Bundaberg East State School
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‘Empathy! I have three students attending alternate classes due to trauma-related behaviours - a boy in year 5, a girl in year 5 with multiple disabilities, and a girl in prep. All children are in out-of-home care. The boy has demonstrated that through all of his sad times he has the ability to show empathy and respect to his peers. He reads her [the year 5 girl] stories, makes her laugh, and [also] answers constant questions from the preppie. He has put his own misery aside to help others. This young boy has taught me to never give up, no matter what life throws at you.’
North Queensland – Barry Horner, St Anthony’s Catholic College
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‘We need to listen to the voice of our Indigenous students.’
South East – Sharee Grant, Logan Village State School
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‘A tough student who misbehaved, started behaving really well. When asked why he could behave for me and not other teachers, he responded with ‘because I know you care’. That’s what teaching is all about.’
Each winner will receive a $100 voucher and a $1,500 prize pack for their school.
Supporting Queensland’s educators
QSuper is proud to support the financial wellbeing of Queensland’s teachers, just as teachers support the educational needs of students across the state. We strive to give every one of our members the confidence to relax and focus on their daily lives, secure in the knowledge that their financial future is in safe hands.
Our World Teachers’ Day competition is just one of the ways QSuper gives back to those who contribute so positively to our community.
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