Trinity Anglican School’s David Long has been named FNQ‘s best teacher

A primary school teacher with more than three decades of experience in the classroom has been named Far North Queensland’s best teacher for 2023.

From meeting his wife in the staffroom to spending a three decade career in the classroom, Trinity Anglican School teacher David Long said he has had much to be thankful for.

The Year Three teacher was voted by Cairns Post readers as Far North Queensland’s best teacher in a close contest, with only two votes to separate the winner and a two-way tie for second place.

Mr Long, who has been teaching at TAS for the majority of his 30-plus year career, said he was blessed to be part of such a great community.

Mr Long, a staple at the school, who also co-ordinates chess tournaments, said although he had been at the school for most of its 40 year history, his wife who teaches music, had been there longer.
“We met in the staffroom and it all just started from there,” Mr Long said.

Trinity Anglican School Year 3 teacher David Long has been voted Cairns’ best teacher, as nominated by Cairns Post readers. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Long, who has been teaching for over 30 years, said he wanted a career where he could do something different every day.

“I chose it (teaching) when I was young and it just worked for me. I wanted to do something that you could do different things in and I’m really glad I chose the path I did,” Mr Long said.
One of the most rewarding things in his career has been seeing his students improve and be empowered as well as getting to work with “good families and good people”.

While Mr Long teaches a range of subjects, his favourite to teach was mathematics.

“With maths, it’s all about improvement and about personal growth. And so I think just opportunities to improve are really important for intellectual character,” he said.

Trinity Anglican School Year 3 teacher David Long has been voted Cairns' best teacher, as nominated by Cairns Post readers. Mr Long helps Year 3 student Audrey Hu, 8, with her reading. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I think things like music and chess extra-curricular sport, things like that, are real opportunities to grow and connect with others.”

He said it was also nice to see students he taught coming back and enrolling their children into the school.

“I’ve been here a while and it’s a really lovely experience. There’s certain students with their own children here now so it’s nice to be in an area like Cairns where opportunities like that happens,” he said.

Coming in a close second were Mrs T (Kairi State School) and Zarah Budgen (Mt Molloy State School), followed by Elon Waigana (Gordonvale State High School) and Claire Williams (Woree State High School).

Originally published as Trinity Anglican School’s David Long has been named FNQ‘s best teacher