AMELIA Cooper loves transforming lives and that’s why parents think she is the Gold Coast’s “best” teacher.
“I love a challenge,” Miss Cooper said.
“Working with children is like solving a puzzle.
“To see a child grasp a concept, become inspired by an idea or simply excited to attend school is extremely rewarding.
“This is especially evident when teaching Prep as students end their first year of school with the foundations for lifelong skills in reading, writing and number knowledge.”
The Clover Hill State School preschool teacher won the Bulletin’s Best Teacher 2020 competition.
The public gave hundreds of heartwarming testimonials on Facebook and Bulletin subscribers chose a winner from 20 finalists.
Verging on tears Miss Cooper, 27, said she was “really grateful and flattered” for the nomination
“I would like to thank all the parents that put my name forward in the competition,” she said. “Thank you for recognising and appreciating the effort, time and organisation that goes into teaching your children.”
Parent Mieka Michelle Pearce said: “We were so lucky to have her as our son’s first teacher. She is a beautiful, kind-hearted person. Our kids truly got the best start to their school days. She is the best.”
Miss Cooper beat Norfolk Village State School’s prep teacher Krystal Brown, Coomera Anglican College’s Year 3 teacher Michael Henerson, All Saints Anglican School’s teacher Sean Bale and Year 1 teacher Kristin Fitzgerald from St Hilda’s.
The 27-year-old said she was inspired by her teachers growing up and wanted to encourage the next generation to take up the profession too.
“I believe the rewards gained from working as a team in addition to student achievements and growth definitely outweigh the demands of the profession. There is also something so special about being part of a school community.”
WHAT THE TEACHERS SAID
AMELIA COOPER, PREP, CLOVER HILL STATE SCHOOL, MUDGEERABA
How long have you been a teacher for? Three years
Tell me about why you wanted to become a teacher? I had some fantastic teachers growing up and they originally sparked my interest in the profession. Once I finished high school, I went travelling abroad and was fortunate enough to work as a teaching assistant in an English primary school. The joy of watching children learn and grow during that experience was very rewarding for me, and to see it from a teacher’s perspective reaffirmed my interest in pursuing teaching as a career.
Why do you love the profession? Every day is different! I also feel like my work has a purpose and that each new day brings diverse opportunities to make a positive impact on students’ lives – socially, academically and developmentally. I am constantly learning and growing from my colleagues and students, both personally and professionally. I am lucky to work with a number of talented, creative and dedicated teachers who continue to inspire me each day.
What is the highlight of your career? The end of every academic year brings a new career highlight. It can be a bittersweet time, but it serves as a reminder of how far students have come in just 12 months within my classroom. This is especially evident when teaching Prep as students end their first year of school with the foundations for lifelong skills in reading, writing and number knowledge.
Do you love working with kids? Why? Yes! Working with children is like solving a puzzle. I love the challenge of discovering how to help each student reach their full potential. To see a child grasp a concept, become inspired by an idea or simply excited to attend school is extremely rewarding. It is important to note that the teaching profession is not just about working with children. It is also about forming productive and positive relationships with their families. This is an essential part of the puzzle!
Would you encourage others to become a teacher? Why? I encourage anyone who is passionate, dedicated and willing to collaborate with their colleagues. I believe the rewards gained from working as a team in addition to student achievements and growth definitely outweigh the demands of the profession. There is also something so special about being part of a school community!
What do you feel about winning the award? I know there are many hardworking, dedicated teachers on the Gold Coast who also deserve recognition so I feel extremely grateful!
Is there anyone you want to thank? I would like to thank all the parents that put my name forward in the competition. Thank you for recognising and appreciating the effort, time and organisation that goes into teaching your children!
KRYSTAL BROWN, PREP, NORFOLK VILLAGE STATE SCHOOL, ORMEAU
How long have you been a teacher for? Eight years
Tell me about why you wanted to become a teacher? Since primary school, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. My teachers always inspired me and I wanted to do the same for others. I loved the thought of working with children and empowering the next generation.
Why do you love the profession? Teaching is the most rewarding job. I get to spend my days with the most curious, creative and honest 5 year olds. Prep is such a special and memorable year of schooling and I love that I have the opportunity to encourage a love for learning in all of my students.
What is the highlight of your career? A highlight for me is definitely the relationships that I build with my students and their families. I believe that building positive relationships with students is integral in creating a successful, safe and supportive learning environment.
Do you love working with kids? Why?
Children have an amazing amount of energy and such a positive attitude towards life! I love being able to share the light bulb moments with kids and help them become the best version of themselves.
Would you encourage others to become a teacher? Why?
I would definitely encourage others to become a teacher. Who doesn’t love being asked what their third favourite animal is in the middle of a maths lesson?
MICHAEL HENDERSON, YEAR 3, COOMERA ANGLICAN COLLEGE
Tell me about why you wanted to become a teacher? It was all about making a difference in this world. I loved working with children when I ran my preschool sports business in Sydney, but I wanted a greater challenge and more time to work with children and their families. I really struggled at school, academically and socially, so every day now I want the opposite for the children in my class and want to make the year I have with them one to remember.
Why do you love the profession? I love the community of our College, I love walking into a dynamic and caring environment each day. It is also very challenging and always changing with different children in my class. Being a teacher is busy and I like that in my role.
Do you love your class this year? Yes, absolutely. Their eagerness to learn, their patience with their own learning and the encouragement they give each other is incredible to witness and be a part of.
What is your favourite subject to teach? Science is an absolute favourite of mine especially when completing experiments with the class.
Was it your favourite subject when you went to school? No, HPE class was the highlight when I was in school.
What is the highlight of your career? Having current and past students comment on how much they love coming to school.
Do you love working with kids? Why? I have always enjoyed seeing development and learning within children, especially seeing new skills and knowledge demonstrated by my students as well as breaking down boundaries in learning. Seeing the internal growth of individuals through resilience and social understandings is so powerful in young children.
Would you encourage others to pursue teacher? Why?
Yes, absolutely. We are teaching lifelong skills and within the schooling environment experiences that will stay with individuals for a long time.
How do you feel about the win? I feel very humbled by the recognition.
Why do you think you won? The last three years of teaching at Coomera Anglican College have been incredible. I have had the opportunity to work alongside incredible leaders and other teachers. I am still learning the art of teaching though the support of the College community has always been very strong.
Is there anyone you want to thank? The families of the children I teach in entrusting me with their children each day and allowing me to follow my passion of teaching.
KRISTIN FITZGERALD, YEAR 1, ST HILDA’S SCHOOL
How long have you been a teacher? 32 years
How many years have you lived on the Gold Coast for? The last 20 years, I grew up in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney
Why did you want to become a teacher? I had a love of children and wanted to do something where I could hopefully make a difference
Why do you love the profession? It’s my passion! I love the innocence and uniqueness of every child and I love watching them grow and learn
Do you love your class this year? Why? I love my class every year! Every year is different and every year there is a different ‘something’ that makes them a whole and gives you a sense of belonging … a new bunch of amazing little people.
What is your favourite subject to teach? Close tie between Literacy and maths
Was it your favourite subject when you went to school? I always loved maths and enjoyed the problem solving, it had a sense of fun, however I felt English was more of a necessity albeit an important necessity, but I can’t say I was crazy about some of the novels we read!
What is the highlight of your career? I’ve had a few so I feel I’m really lucky. I’ve taught in a few countries (Istanbul for the Turkish President’s grandchildren, London teaching Prince William and Prince Harry at Wetherby’s) and at a few schools in NSW and QLD that have all provided me with a wealth of experience and some very fond memories.
Do you love working with kids? I absolutely love it, thank goodness, as it’s certainly a career you need to be devoted to.
Why? In a nutshell, the children. Every day is different, busy and an absolute joy. They are so good at making you feel special and valued and they want to learn. They are like little sponges, soaking up everything, always curious and always exploring and investigating.
Would you encourage others to become a teacher? Of course, if it is a career they feel passionate about! Why? It is extremely rewarding and an absolute joy to be a part of a child’s learning journey.
How do you feel about the win?
“I am little shocked, very humbled and extremely grateful.”
Why do you think you won? I’d like to hope I’ve made a difference by making learning enjoyable, while trying to encourage grit, resilience and kindness.
Is there anyone you want to thank? I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many beautiful students and their families over the years, especially now at St Hilda’s, and I have had so much support, inspiration and learning along the way from so many incredible colleagues, as well as my beautiful family that put up with my long hours, I feel there’s something to be grateful for every day.
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