Sharon Newman named South Burnett’s best teacher for 2021

The final votes have been tallied and the winner has been decided! Meet the South Burnett’s best teacher for 2021 and see what makes them stand out:

For more than a decade, Sharon Newman has guided Taabinga State School students through their formative years.

Her dedication to the job and has now earned her the title of South Burnett’s best teacher for 2021, as voted by our readers.

The teaching veteran said she was “humbled” by the title, but said there were many fantastic teachers in the region.

Ms Newman, who has been teaching since 1989, said she ended up in teaching because of something her mother once told her.

“My mum said years ago the world will always need nurses, teachers and hairdressers,” Ms Newman said.

But it wasn’t a straight path to teaching, with Ms Newman initially planning to go into nursing, even having measured up before she was offered a role learning teaching at the Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education.

She went on to have a successful career across the Darling Downs as a teacher, before moving first to Nanango State School, and then Taabinga in 2011.

Taabinga State School teacher Sharon Newman.

She said it was her students that kept her going.

“I do love the children, they make it worthwhile,” she said.

“Watching them achieve and grow – its very rewarding to see them grow. Seeing them become successful, that’s so rewarding.”

She had one piece of advice for her fellow educators.

“Build your relationships with the children you’re working with. If you do that and make them feel positive, they will thrive,” she said.

She also thanked the parents and the community for voting for her.

“It’s humbling and it’s an honour. I certainly didn’t expect it, but I’m grateful for their support and it's nice when it happens,” she said.