Southport State High School special ed teacher Catherine ‘Tassy’ Engel earns praise

Southport State High School special education teacher Catherine ‘Tassy’ Engel creates valuable, effective learning relationships with all her students and their families. FIND OUT HOW

Gold Coast teacher Catherine ‘Tassy’ Engel has devoted her career to helping students become valuable, confident and positive members of society – regardless of their abilities or disabilities.

“I believe that the greatest impact I’ve had on student outcomes is not measured by levels of achievement in curriculum subjects, grades on assessment or final exams,” she said.

“Over the 33 years of my career, I have had the absolute pleasure to support students and their families in reaching their life goals.”

The 53-year-old Southport State High School special education teacher said she loved school as a student and loved it still as a teacher.

“My passion for teaching comes from watching the delight and wonder on children’s faces when you share interesting stories or facts or when they have that light bulb moment where they understand a new concept or topic,” she said.

Southport State High School teacher Catherine Engel. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“I love talking to kids, learning about them and what they enjoy. I love creating activities and learning experiences that create wonder in young people.

“Yeah, there’s lots of paperwork and other expectations, but the kids are everything.”

Mrs Engel was also humbled to be a finalist at the Queensland College of Teachers 2022 TEACHX Awards in the Outstanding Contribution to Teaching category.

She develops themes in her classroom relating to topics being taught and this year, her year 9 and history class are studying World War II.

“In setting up my classroom, I like to bring in pictures, artefacts – real or made by me – that set the scene and give the students context,” Mrs Engel said.

“I like to really wow kids so that they want to see what all the fuss is about – be curious – ask questions – make inferences – spark their imagination.”

She has also implemented a Secret Agent Society program using espionage-themed resources and small-group sessions to help students develop social skills for daily life.

“Feedback from teachers, parents and the students themselves is beyond rewarding and for some, life changing,” Mrs Engel said.

She trained as a teacher at Brisbane College of Advanced Education, graduating in 1989.

“I never wanted to be a teacher, my mother was a teacher, and I knew how hard they worked, but when offered a place at the college I accepted and have never looked back,” Mrs Engel said.

She has since worked at rural and regional schools in the state before joining Southport State High School in 2014 and has taken on a teacher of differentiation role this year working with staff and almost 2200 students.

Southport State High School teacher Catherine Engel with students Toby McGlashan and Natnael Cusack. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Student Natnael Cusack, 16, paid tribute to his teacher.

“Mrs Engel makes it fun and enjoyable and she’s a funny and amazing teacher,” he said.

His mother Leanne said Mrs Engel was a big reason her son had been given a fighting chance and not allowed to fall between the cracks.

“Mrs Engel – Tassy as we know her through a childhood nickname – has a remarkably calm and enthusiastic style that engages our son and his peers and is a big reason why our son loves to go to school.”

Gill Williams, mother of recent-graduate Boydn Williams, said they wouldn’t have made it to graduation without her guidance and patience.

“She truly is the most compassionate person we have had on Boydn’s schooling journey,” she said.

Southport State High School executive principal Nigel Hughes added to the praise.

“Not only is Tassy an excellent teacher, she gets that teaching is a people business and she creates valuable, effective learning relationships with every one of her students and their families.”

Meanwhile, Mrs Engel has suggestions for a better future for education.

“The main change to education that I believe will bring about the most impact is around the recognition, support and remuneration of teachers,” she said.

“Teaching is a really hard job but one of the most important jobs in our society.

“It’s where our youth develop skills, knowledge, passion, relationships and direction.

“The impact of teachers on this process is immense.

“We need to attract great people, educate them well in the universities and then support them to remain in the profession.”