36 of Gladstone’s favourite prep teachers |2024
Meet 36 of the region’s outstanding prep teachers who are leading our little minds into the first stage of schooling. Be part of the conversation, vote for your most favourite in our poll.
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The first day of prep can be bittersweet for parents but, through the devotion and care of our prep teachers, you know they are in the best hands.
Many Gladstone families have shown their gratitude, singing praises for their favourite Prep teachers.
But is there one special teacher that needs a big shout out? Vote now in our favourite Prep teacher poll which will stay open until midnight Wednesday, March 6.
Below are 36 outstanding nominees in no particular order.
HOW TO VOTE: Click on the drop down menu, vote for your favourite and hit submit. Remember, you can only vote once.
Mrs Shannon Peart: Ambrose State School
Mrs Shannon Peart was nominated by Michelle Peart, for her admirable kindness and patience with students.
“She makes learning fun and knows how to engage her students,” Michelle Peart said.
Cizell DuPlessis: FAITH Baptist Christian School
Nominated by Tricia Robson, FAITH Baptist Christian School’s Cizell DuPlessis is described as a loving, kind and considerate but fair teacher.
“She is an amazing teacher, who is so dedicated to Early Childhood Education,” Tricia said.
“She loves her students and cares for them from the moment they enter the classroom each day.”
“She has such a caring heart and will do anything to make sure that they achieve their full potential.”
Suzy Loveday: Boyne Island State School
Boyne Island State School’s Suzy Loveday has been nominated for the region’s favourite prep teacher, described by Samantha Josephine Frid as one of the most beautiful and amazing teachers your children will ever have.
“Big and small things were always important to them and they always went above and beyond for my daughter and my family,” Samantha said.
Marjorie Foster: Calliope State School
Nominated multiple times with more than a dozen likes, Marjorie Foster is admired for her invaluable knowledge, care, and dedication to teaching, leaving a lasting impact on students and their families.
“Mrs Foster knows kids and she adapts to their needs and learning styles,” Amy Weber said.
“I guess with over 30 years experience she’s had some practice in dealing with little learners!”
“She is one in a million,” Tina Sweeney added.
Tayla Ellis: Calliope State School
After being nominated by Kim Smith, Tayla Ellis has showered with love in the reply thread with 11 likes collectively as well as several shout outs to her amazing work.
“She is amazing, beautiful and caring teacher, who knows the individual child’s needs and gets to know the families too,” Kim said.
Meegan Watson, who also nominated Miss Ellis has sung her praises, saying “she creates such a fun, interactive environment for her children and embodies everything a teacher should be.”
Ann Mallie: Calliope State School
Calliope State School’s Ann Mallie has been nominated by alongside fellow Calliope State School prep teacher Marjorie Foster for her dedication, passion and care for her students.
“I’ve been very lucky to have worked with both these ladies and couldn’t agree more,” Casey Black replied in the comments.
“The are fantastic teachers,” Lisa Newby added.
Mrs Amanda Hogeveen: Clinton State School
Described as super amazing, empathetic and understanding, Clinton State School’s Mrs Amanda Hogeveen has been nominated for going above and beyond for students and parents.
“She taught my lil man so much in only 1 year,” Stephee Norris said.
“He still enjoys sneaking to his old classroom to give her cuddle and fist bump; she is truly a superhero teacher.”
Mrs Sarah Spratt: Clinton State School
Sarah Spratt was nominated by Natalie Neighbour alongside fellow Clinton State School prep teacher Rebecca Duggan, for her dedication, passion and care for her students.
“They are the best we love them both so much,” Natalie said.
Amanda Power: Clinton State School
Going above and beyond for all her students, Clinton State School’s Amanda Power has been nominated for her lasting impact and compassionate approach.
“She’s amazing,” Brodie Rae Ezekiela said.
“My little girl is now grade 2 and still talks about her.”
Niahm Sharp: Clinton State School
Nominated multiple times with more than a dozen likes, Niahm Sharp is described as incredibly amazing and beloved by students. “She is incredibly amazing! My son loves her,” Crystal Reddy said.
Bec Duggan: Clinton State School
With multiple nominations, Clinton State School’s Bec Duggan is praised for her exceptional kindness, unwavering support, and dedication to creating positive and inclusive learning experiences for all her students.
“My two oldest children both did prep with Mrs Duggan and I have nothing but positive things to say about our experience,” one parent said.
“My children have high level Autism and ADHD and Mrs Duggan went above and beyond to accommodate them and ensure they had the best start to school.”
Mrs Karen Pope: Clinton State School
Clinton State School’s Karen Pope was nominated by Shola M Read, for her dedication, passion and care for her students.
“She is the best prep teacher and always will be,” Shola said.
Tiahne Taylor: Gladstone West State School
Gladstone West State School’s Tiahne Taylor has been nominated for her unwavering devotion and care for her students.
“My son wouldn’t be where he is or so advanced if it wasn’t for Mrs Taylor and her teachers aid, Mrs Hunter,” Shayne Marks said.
“Mrs Taylor had my daughter last year and now my other daughter this year and she is amazing,” Kate Elyse said.
“ She is great with all types of children. And I credit her for how well both my girls are doing at school.”
Mrs Justine Hunter: Gladstone West State School
Prep teacher’s aid for Tiahne Taylor at Gladstone West State School, Justine Hunter has been nominated for her constant support of both the staff and students at the school.
“As a former prep teacher, I could not have survived without the constant support of my aide Justine Hunter,” Deborah Redman said.
Miss Danielle Webb: Gladstone South State School
Nominated multiple times, Gladstone South State School’s Danielle Webb has been praised for dedication to creating an “amazing” learning environment, attentively listening to her students and making an effort to go above and beyond “every single day.”
“Without a doubt she is the most amazing teacher,” Em J Ley said.
Miss Emily Chapman: Gladstone South State School
Nominated multiple times alongside her colleagues at Gladstone South State School, Emily Chapman is beloved by many parents and students.
“My little preppy says Miss Chapman, Mrs Neville and Miss Fry from Gladstone South State School are her favourite teachers,” Kirra Lea said.
Miss Fry: Gladstone South State School
Nominated by Kirra Lea alongside her colleagues at Gladstone South State School, Tina Neville is loved by many parents and students.
“My little preppy says Miss Chapman, Mrs Neville and Miss Fry from Gladstone South State School are her favourite teachers,” Kirra Lea said.
Miss Danielle Smith: Kin Kora State School
Nominated by Makaila Otene, Miss Danielle Smith has been described as truly heaven sent.
Mrs Jessica Ward: Kin Kora State School
Nominated twice and having received multiple likes, Kin Kora State School’s Jessica Ward has been described by Rachel Kelly-Wright as a very passionate teacher with the children’s best interest at heart.
“They are all good at Kin Kora School, but my best are Mrs Jess Ward and Mrs Sue Norwood,” Margarita Lyn Dodd said.
Miss Mac: Kin Kora State School
Nominated by Rebecca Vanderwolf and receiving multiple likes, Kin Kora State School Miss Mac is in the running for the region’s favourite teacher.
Susan Elizabeth Norwood: Kin Kora State School
Liked by many parents and students at Kin Kora State School, Susan Elizabeth Norwood is in the running for the region’s favourite teacher.
Mikayla Perkins nominated Kin Kora State School’s Susan Elizabeth Norwood alongside Calliope state school’s Mrs Marjorie Foster, saying “we have had the pleasure of having both of these teachers for our kids and they’re extensive knowledge and care with their years of experience were invaluable to our children and our family.”
“Mrs Sue is pretty special,” Jem Manwaring replied.
Michelle Williams: Rosella Park School
Nominated by Jessica Ney, Rosella Park School’s Michelle Williams has been praised for her incredible work, dedication, and positive impact on her students’ lives.
According to Rosella Park’s principle, Geoff Miller, Michelle Williams is a dedicated junior teacher, who consistently strives to make a significant impact on her students’ lives through her hard work and dedication.
“Each day, she strives to create enriching and challenging learning experiences tailored to the unique learning styles of her students,” he said.
“Her positive approach inspires those around her, and her students respond eagerly to her positive attitude.”
Deb Whitfield: St Francis Catholic Primary School Tannum Sands
Helping make Tara Larkins’ son, Lachlan smoothly transition into school, St Francis Catholic Primary School’s Deb Whitfield has been nominated for her warming presence, which “welcomes you each day and her humour makes you walk away with a smile.”
Rebecca Prichard: St Francis Catholic Primary School Tannum Sands
Rebecca Prichard has been nominated from her caring and fun approach toward her students learning.
“We’ve been blessed to have both our children complete their prep year with Mrs Prichard,” Hannah Pearson said.
Mrs Rachel Mullins: St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Gladstone
Receiving more than a dozen likes, St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School’s Mrs Rachel Mullins has been nominated for passionate and nurturing personality, facilitating an environment where the students can feel safe, seen and appreciated.
“They are an absolutely amazing team of professionals (St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School) with so much passion and love for teaching,” Stevie May Berry said.
Lisa Gold: St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Gladstone
“As her name says Gold, in everything that the amazing Lisa Gold did for my girls and the entire class, she continuously shines,” Rheena Tandon said when nominating St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School’s Lisa Gold.
“Lisa and her teacher’s assistant, Paula Audet have made the transition very easy for our daughter. The school as a whole nurtures children and their growth through primary school,” Nicole Long said.
Paula Audet: St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Gladstone
Teacher’s assistant to St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School prep teacher, Lisa Gold, Paula Audet as been described as the best support teacher, supporting the preps in a nurturing way, facilitating their growth and development to prepare them for the years of schooling ahead.
Natalie Hamilton: St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Gladstone
Going above and beyond for her students, St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School’s Natalie Hamilton has been nominated for her dedication, care and love for learning.
Sarah Stephan: St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Gladstone
Nominated alongside an amazing team of prep teachers at St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School, Sarah Stephan is beloved by many parents and students.
Kara Reynolds “Mrs Sarah Stephan at St. John’s has been so amazing for my preppy this year,” Kara Reynolds said.
“So lucky to have scored her,” Chloe Maree Sheppard added.
Mrs Lauren Davies: St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Gladstone
Nominated by Jessica Pailthorpe, Mrs Lauren Davies is a dedicated and caring teacher, beloved by many parents and students.
“She is great,” Cassandra Hobbs replied in the comment thread.
Fiona Adamson: Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Gladstone
Arguably the most nominated prep teacher in the region, Fiona Adamson has captured the hearts of many children, parents and fellow teachers across Gladstone.
“Mrs Fiona Adamson at Star of the Sea goes above and beyond for the children, gives so much of her time, is so passionate and so engaged in each child’s learning,” Annabel Hawkins said.
Bianca Vea Vea also sung her praising say that as an attentive and nurturing teacher for both neurodiverse and neurotypical students “she accepts her students individuality and tailors a learning environment to encourage and promote a growth mindset.”
“The support, compassion, understanding and care I felt as a parent of a prep student was the above and beyond,” Bianca said.
Miss Leigh Chapman: Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Gladstone
Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School’s Leigh Chapman has been nominated by AJ Richards, alongside her colleague, Fiona Adamson, for her dedication and care for her students.
Mrs Ruhl: Tannum Sands State School
Tannum Sands State School’s Mrs Rankin has been nominated for the region’s favourite teacher, described by Kim Jackson as a kind, caring and compassionate person, organised with learning that was so well tailored to my children’s interests and needs.
“We could not have asked for a better start to our children’s education,” Kim said.
Mrs Rankin: Tannum Sands State School
Nominated alongside fellow Tannum Sands State School’s prep teacher, Mrs Ruhl, Mrs Rankin has been described by Kim Jackson as a kind, caring and compassionate person, organised with learning that was so well tailored to my children’s interests and needs.
“We could not have asked for a better start to our children’s education,” Kim said.
Marike Jansen van Vuuren: Trinity College Gladstone
Nominated by Larissa Faulkner, Trinity College’s Marike Jansen van Vuuren is in the running for the region’s favourite prep teacher.
“Yes! Another vote for Marike,” Fiona Walker replied in the comment thread.
Miss Suzanne McKenzie: Yarwun State School
Always going above and beyond, providing the most amazing support for her students, Yarwun State School’s Miss Suzanne McKenzie has been nominated by Ness Upton for the region’s favourite prep teacher.
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