POLL: Vote to crown Gold Coast’s best teacher during COVID-19 pandemic

Teachers have gone above and beyond through the COVID-19 crisis – now here’s your chance to celebrate the little things they have done to make life easier for our kids. VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE

CHILDREN finally returned to school last week after weeks of remote learning.

During that time, teachers went above and beyond to make sure pupils didn’t miss out on their learning.

Here’s your chance to celebrate the little things some have done to make life easier for our kids.

↓↓↓ SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE ↓↓↓

BASIL EPIHA, PICNIC CREEK STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Kim Beveridge

“He wore funny costumes and hats to make online learning fun. He has constantly contacted parents to help out and tell us not to stress and gave encouragement all the way. He’s a champion.”

MR WRIGHT, ORMEAU STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Sharon Mills

“Always happy and positive. Always responded to the kids personally. Always encouraged or praised. What a legend.”

ELLY PATTERSON, PICNIC CREEK STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Sophie Atkins

“She is the most caring, loving and kind teacher I have ever met. She has fully supported myself and my autistic daughter in our journey with school. She has the biggest heart.”

JENNY BRADSHAW, ST VINCENT’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

Nominated by Tanielle Mutch

“She helped our daughter enormously over the ten weeks that we did online learning, would always make sure the children knew what they had to do for the day and if they were unsure she would stay online and help them. Our daughter needed a little extra guidance with one of her assignments and Mrs Bradshaw came online to just have a meeting with her to make sure she knew what to do and went through each task with her. Absolutely amazing.”

CAITLIN WOOD, JUBILEE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Nominated by Karen Snowden

“As a home schooling grandparent I was very grateful for the help and support. This was a whole new experience and therefore quite a challenge for me. I was able to email and then get feedback on a daily basis. Live meetings with small groups of children to touch base were much appreciated. Couldn’t have done home schooling without her support.”

MICHELLE GRAHAM, TRINITY LUTHERAN COLLEGE

Nominated by Megan Hay

“She is just fantastic, motivating and caring.

PAUL EVISON, COOMERA ANGLICAN COLLEGE

Nominated by Kylie Barradeen

“He has been amazing! Helped keep some normality and fun about school during a very crazy & emotional time for my son. Greatly appreciate his efforts.”

TASCH LINDSAY, ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN SCHOOL

Nominated by Renae Wall-Mason

“Throughout the online learning program her enthusiastic, entertaining, caring and heartfelt videos, audio messages and notes of encouragement always assisted my son to persevere but enjoy this alternative educational platform. Not a day would pass without her checking in and providing constant support, feedback, genuine love and positive care! Mrs Lindsay you are a rock star!”

NICOLA REYNOLDS, BELLEVUE PARK STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Emma Marsh

“Absolutely amazing, had my first child (and is) currently with my second. She is so caring and so committed to every single child, goes above and beyond, is such an asset to our school. We love her.”

MS LEE, HIGHLAND RESERVE STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Kelly Tully

“During homeschooling my son had to write a letter and say why he is thankful. After she saw it, she then sent it to Xzavier’s friend Lucas. Just something so simple can make someone’s day.”

EMMA DRAISEY, AQUINAS COLLEGE

Nominated by Tammy Maree

“She was outstanding … always there to help out the kids during the day and even after hours online. If you’re not sure about a question she’ll take the time out to email back quickly and explain the situation clearly in step form. Well done Emma.”

NANCIE BROWN, BELLEVUE PARK STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Asha Louise

“Her passion for education and her sincere concern for our children’s welfare has got us through the last few months. So grateful.”

LINDA STONE, ST HILDA’S SCHOOL

Nominated by Kylie Roper

“She embraced technology, had a great sense of humour, kept the girls engaged with their learning as well as entertained.”

JAQUI WARD, ST VINCENT’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

Nominated by Simone Kelly

“She was so much FUN! She is one of a kind and blessed to share this experience with our kids + Mrs Ward who goes above and beyond. She so funny + bright + energetic esp at a time of confusion and isolation. We even had show + tell style Pets and Joke where each child said a JOKE and bought their pet online to show the class! Very interactive + the kids adore her!”

MRS VAN VUUREN, KING’S CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

Nominated by Erin Kym

“She was such an amazing teacher throughout our homeschool experience. She went above and beyond with phone calls home, emails check-ins and was just so supportive. I can’t thank her enough.”

MISS CAMPBELL & MISS TAYLES, ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE

Nominated by Gemma Parker

“They were exceptional with communication everyday and it was the highlight of my daughter’s day to see these teachers. Absolutely amazing teachers who deserve all the recognition in the world.”

MR PHILIPPI, ST VINCENT’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

Nominated by Beatriz Gargiso

“I homeschooled 4 primary aged kids and things started to get a little bit out of control. After a chat with the school principal, we received extra support to help us get through. Mr Philippi came up with the plan of having my daughter on a constant video call meeting, like if she was a school but without being at school. My daughter was able to follow her tasks independently and ask questions when she had doubts. But more importantly, she felt connected and less isolated. She was able to see some of her friends (essential worker’s kids) and her teacher. I know that Mr Philippi did this sort of arrangement with a few more kids. He definitely made himself present and available unconditionally to his students. It made a huge difference to our daughter and in our household. We are very grateful.”

MELISSA DE BARROS, GUARDIAN ANGELS PRIMARY SCHOOL

Nominated by Rachel Castles

“There are not enough words in the dictionary to describe how amazing she is!!! Kind, compassionate, caring, dedicated, professional and super fantastic … just to mention a few!! Teaching Prep, not only is she at the forefront of moulding our little ones minds, she held class for those children of essential workers, teaching everyday and provided AEP (remote learning) for those children that were at home. A double act of teaching children in their first year of school is incredible and should be commended!”

SUE OGILVIE, EMMANUEL COLLEGE

Nominated by Julia Prior

“They united as a team and delivered each and every lesson to the students as if they were in the classroom. The delivery was extremely professional, user friendly and entertaining. The teachers went above and beyond to keep the children’s learning up to date and to stay connected with the children.”

MS SWAIN, PICNIC CREEK STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Stacey Murphy

“Although my son went to school, miss Swain worked from home. Miss Swain is a huge support for my son, who is asd & adhd, she took time out to send my son video messages at school to keep him on track, staying in touch with me personally by email. She couldn’t have been more an angel.”

MRS MATTERSON, VARSITY COLLEGE SECONDARY SCHOOL

Nominated by Jo Leight Hutton-Davies

“Essentials for writing teacher. Started the term with welcome videos, plus home pack with treats so much energy and genuine concern, continued to update with interactive PowerPoint and simple instructions. Utilised Microsoft teams and was just amazing at allowing students to engage at their own pace. Very personable and contacted parents if needed – she even wrote a song! Amazing – varsity are very lucky!”

RENAE SANSON, KING’S CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

Nominated by Ammie Owens

“So wonderful the whole time and so enthusiastic with the online teaching. We loved her mini challenges and her genuine care for the children. We are so grateful for her!”

KERRIE RODGERS, OXENFORD STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Sarah Haynes

“She was so supportive, caring and always there when we needed her. She did videos for the children so they still got to see her to keep that connection. She definitely went the extra mile and deserves recognition for her dedication. You can tell how much she loves children. It’s lovely.”

GEORGIA BROWN, AQUINAS COLLEGE

Nominated by Charlotte Jackson

“She not only is an amazing and passionate teacher, and knows everything there is to know about Shakespeare (which is very difficult), but she will go above and beyond to help anyone. She is willing to help even with things outside the classroom, has the best advice, and just all round amazing. A great strong women and a great inspiration. I look forward to English every day because of how amazing she is! Makes me want to be a teacher, so that I can help students the way she helps us.”

KATIE HUGGARD, WORONGARY STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Georgia Davies

“She has always gone above and beyond to support her preppies and has made the two transitions to school this year seamless. From courtesy calls to interactive and fun videos that she roped her own kids into. Katie supported her parents and carers as much as her students and hasn’t let this pandemic ruin our children’s first year of school.”

MITCHELL DUNDAS, AQUINAS COLLEGE

Nominated by Jayne Duncalfe

“Because Mitch consistently goes the extra mile for all his kids. Most hardworking, kind, compassionate teacher.”

KRYSTAL LAWSEN, CLOVER HILL STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Nicky Maher

“She went above and beyond any of my other children’s teachers, did up personalised learning timetables and lessons for them to follow easily, started up a blog type board so the children could post their work and other children could see what awesome things they had created and write positive comments on them to keep the kids more connected, and every day she would mark or send the children little voice grab replies to their work. It was always a highlight of our day to hear her positive and sweet voice beaming out from the iPad, saying good morning, making comments on the work my child had submitted. She work tirelessly and with so little credit for her effort, and she would reply to any email almost instantly, solving any of our tech issues or operator errors lol. She is an absolute angel, a ray of sunshine and she made the period of online learning so much easier with her enthusiasm and love for her work and the kids. I am so grateful for her.”

MS WATTS, PIMPAMA STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Jade Andshane

“Always is available to help with my son he is a soft soul and ms watts always has time for him is helpful and is always there for him and he adores her.”

MRS GRAHAM, ST AUGUSTINE’S COLLEGE

Nominated by Claire Richardson

“She was meant to go on maternity leave but kept working so the kids had consistency! She only has a couple of weeks until baby is due! She is a beautiful soul.”

ELISABETH HALES, GUARDIAN ANGELS PRIMARY SCHOOL

Nominated by Marley Lucas

“She was fantastic with her daily calls to the kids and letting the kids still at school talk to their friends at home. She was always there to help if they needed.”

MR G & MRS WILSON, BELLEVUE PARK STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Simon Batstone

“For keeping us in touch with what was going on with the kids and learning and especially Mrs Wilson for organising learning packs of my daughter.”

JACK BURROWS, COOMERA RIVERS

Nominated by Shane Perry

“Just an all round legend. All 3 of my kids think he’s the best.”

MISS DE, ARUNDEL STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Katie Omrod

“We didn’t have any videos school wide, and instead had daily activities uploaded each day. What made the difference with Miss De was that she emailed the kids directly ever day, called every week, and even sent letters in the mail each week! Was so responsive, thoughtful and caring and brought so much excitement to the kids coming back. My son came home on Monday saying, ‘Miss De only slept one hour last night she was so excited to see us!’ Meant so much to him to feel missed and for her to be so positive about all the kids coming back. Very thankful.”

CHRISTINE MORRIS, ST VINCENT’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

Nominated by Crystal Dawson

“She is my sons intervention teacher. My son has ADHD and struggles on a good day but She went out if her way to make sure he could do the work in his own style while still learning the same things his classmates were, her additional face time calls and ongoing praise to him boosted his ability to learn at home and he was always sure he completed the work Mrs Morris set. Not only did he improve with her help but his self esteem lifted too! She even made sure he was settled back into the classroom taking extra time to calm his nerves and anxiety the first few days back. I could never have done hone schooling without her and her constant support and encouragement.”

MRS GOSS, KING’S CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

Nominated by Erin Kym

“What an amazing lady who went above and beyond every day for her students. The phone calls, the emails, the teaching online and on campus- she’s a gem. Getting to school before the sun was up some days, she is just amazing!!”

DONNA PATTERSON, BELLEVUE PARK STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Hayley Schulstaf

“She is still my daughter’s favourite teacher three years after she had her for Prep and my son is so lucky to have her as his teacher now too for Prep.”

MS BENTLEY, MIAMI STATE SCHOOL

Nominated by Milly Kate

“For showing genuine concern for the children and parents wellbeing. Going the extra mile to ensure home schooling was set up and working smoothly … responding on the weekend! For maintaining contact with students multiple times a day in various ways, providing feedback on completed tasks and encouraging fun as well as learning. For being enthusiastic and positive during a difficult time and enduring the children’s transition back into the classroom was fun and free from anxiety. Thank you Miss Bentley!”