Michael Sullivan at Warwick East named Warwick’s best teacher for 2021

‘I’m terribly thrilled and so honoured’: The final votes have been tallied and the winner has been decided! Meet Warwick’s best teacher for 2021 and see what makes them stand out here.

It’s a lucky few who not only find their calling but spend their entire lives using it to help make a difference, but that’s almost exactly how Warwick East State School’s Michael Sullivan describes his 35 years in teaching.

The widely loved and respected educator has been voted in by Daily News readers as the town’s best teacher for 2021.

Teaching across Queensland before settling in Warwick about 20 years ago, Mr Sullivan said he’d never for a second doubted his career path.

“I tried a couple of other things when I first left school, but always found myself thinking that teaching was what I wanted to do,” he said.

“I’ve been lucky enough to do something that I really love, and at the end of the day I can’t wait to get back to school the next day, even after 35 years.

Warwick East State School student teacher co-ordinator Michael Sullivan (centre) farewelling students teachers Jack Pickering, Lauren McVeigh, Rebecca Hockings, Molly Webster, Letitia Stuart and Katelyn Hill.

“Every year the class is different and has different challenges, but it’s always nice to look back and see how far you’ve come, particularly at the end of the year.”

Only weeks away from sending another cohort of Year 6 students onto the next phase of their schooling journey, Mr Sullivan said teaching and living in a regional community meant he was privileged to keep watching his young pupils grow up.

“I know when I walk down the street, I’m always having ex-students come up to me who have grown up or who you remember as little primary school children and are now adults, or even have children of their own,” he said.

“They tell you they remember you fondly almost all the time, which is nice.”

Teachers and support staff at East State School (clockwise from front) Michael Sullivan, Carmen Hentschel, Suzann Woodrow, Chontelle Bruton, Heather Moore, Julie Grey and Dannielle Edmistone. Photo Georja Ryan / Warwick Daily News

Describing himself as “terribly thrilled, honoured, and grateful” to have been recognised by his beloved students and their families, Mr Sullivan said he hoped everyone who passed through his classroom would take away more than just academic knowledge.

“I guess as I’m coming to the twilight of my career, I can look back and say I’ve really loved it and it’s been what I wanted to do. I can’t think of myself having done anything else,” he said.

“You get to see the wonderful future our society has when you see some of the absolutely wonderful kids coming through.

“It’s about teaching them to be good people and citizens, and good contributors to society, not just teaching them in the classroom. I love to know that I’m making a difference.”