Queensland’s 31 most influential teachers revealed at 2024 Teach X awards
From Cooktown to the Gold Coast, 31 Queensland teachers have been recognised for their commitment and dedication, taking honours at the annual Teach X awards. SEE THE FULL LIST
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The most influential teachers across the state have been announced as part of the annual Queensland College of Teachers TEACHX awards.
From Cooktown right down to the Gold Coast, the 2024 TEACHX Awards have showcased the outstanding contributions from teachers to both their school communities and profession right across Queensland.
Five recipients were awarded across six categories, with accomplishments ranging from improving at-risk students’ attendance rates, creating projects to practise entrepreneurial skills, to implementing digital lessons that pair robotics with dance moves and introducing therapy dogs in schools.
In addition, a seventh category titled “Excellence in Teacher Education” named a single winner.
Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) Board Chair Emeritus Professor Wendy Patton, congratulated the winners ahead of the TEACHX Awards ceremony in Brisbane on Thursday, October 24 – the eve of World Teachers’ Day in Queensland.
“This year’s recipients continue a proud tradition of exemplifying the extraordinary work teachers do to improve their students’ education and inspire their colleagues,” she said.
“Their enthusiasm, innovation, and unwavering commitment to education have set a remarkable standard for excellence within our community.”
2024 QCT TEACHX AWARDS RECIPIENTS
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHER EDUCATION
Beryl Exley – Griffith University
As a Professor and Deputy Head of School at Griffith University Beryl won this award through a number of innovations which are inclusive of improving student support for critical assessments and aligning coursework with professional standards, resulting in an increase in the pass rate for final-year preservice teachers.
Throughout her career, Beryl has secured over $2.25 million in research funding and published over 100 research articles and reports on literacy education and working with preservice teachers in ITE programs.
Between 2018 to 2022, she played a vital role in the accreditation submissions for Griffith’s ITE programs, overseeing the student experience, and managing academic staffing, including mentoring program directors and accreditation officers.
EXCELLENCE IN BEGINNING TO TEACH
Danielle Alympic – Kelvin Grove State College
Ms Alympic has made a number of contributions to both teachers and staff at Kelvin Grove State College.
For Food Studies, she led the introduction of the ‘Masterchef Mystery Box Challenge’ which had 300 students participate in working with a specified ingredient with faculty members serving as guest judges.
Also a Student Representative Coordinator, Ms Alympic facilitated student involvement in inter-school forums and initiatives such as Amnesty International workshops, the Queensland Global Youth Summit, and various charitable fundraising efforts.
In her second year Danielle undertook the role of leading 18 colleagues as Year 9 English Team Leader, to improve the delivery of high-quality classroom content, and support first year teachers.
Ashley Constable – Woree State School
Woree State School teacher Ashley Constable has made remarkable impacts on students at the high-Indigenous, low-socio-economic school.
Through his development of a student engagement program made to boost attendance and academics, Mr Constable identified low-attending students and personally met with them at their homes, walking with them to school, and ensured they had breakfast.
Following astonishing results, Mr Constable now coordinates a team of three staff members to increase the program’s success.
He also reinvigorated school spirit by reintroducing school discos by putting together a detailed proposal, budget, and timeline.
Luke Higgins – Cooktown State School
In just his second year of teaching, Cooktown State School Teacher Luke Higgins has been involved with introduction of initiatives like a school radio station, photography programs, and hands-on training with new technologies such as editing software and drones.
These programs have both sparked students’ creativity and equipped them with valuable future skills.
Luke has also engaged with traditional landowners in the community, creating a powerful acknowledgment of Country for the school through footage of the local land, sea, and rivers.
Benjamin Klein – Newman Catholic College
As one of the foundation teachers and one of only two science staff at Newman Catholic College, Benjamin Klein has played a pivotal role in developing science content for the school as well as holding the role of laboratory manager.
Mr Klein has designed numerous dynamic lessons, including dissections of organs and organising incursions and excursions that connected students with health professionals.
He has made huge efforts to establish strong partnerships with James Cook University’s School of Dentistry and the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine in order to provide students with opportunities to tour their facilities.
“Seeing the Health Science course I developed at NCC grow into a popular and challenging elective subject reflects my commitment to providing students with relevant, engaging, and future-focused learning experiences,” Ben said.
Kiana Sloane – A.B. Paterson College
Teacher Kiana Sloane has a passion for the Years 3-12 Sustainability Committee which she has transformed into a student-driven powerhouse, where older students mentor younger peers, to build leadership skills and environmental awareness.
Through Ms Sloane’s direction, the committee has launched various projects such as a recycling program in partnership with the Nerang Express Recycling Centre, which funnels funds to a Tanzanian school.
A “Ncouraged to bring plastic-free lunches
Ms Sloane also partnered her school with the EcoMarines Program, an educational initiative that immerses students in real-world environmental challenges.
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
Jacob Cheung – Bellbird Park State Secondary College
Jacob Cheung’s commitment to his before school tutorials for students each day speaks volumes to his impact on Bellbird Park State Secondary College.
A maths teacher and Head of Senior Schooling, Mr Cheung also recognised the importance of eSports in education taking the initiative to create a program called the eSports club.
Mr Cheung has also used his expertise in data to create and develop mark books, databases, and school-wide behaviour reports which are sent to all relevant staff every week.
His school was able to start the ‘P4 brain break’ intervention in 2022, because of data showing spikes in behaviour in period four. By the end of 2022, period four no longer had the highest incidence of behaviours.
Rebecca Davies – Peregian Beach College
Rebecca Davies’ has applied assistive technology for a student with vision impairment which has transformed Peregian Beach College.
The tool has allowed him to actively take part in classroom activities.
Ms Davies also actively works with colleagues, parents, and the school community to promote the use of technology for students facing learning difficulties.
Separately, she has been a strong advocate for increasing female participation in STEM fields through numerous initiatives.
Steven Griffiths – Cavendish Road State High School
Dr Steve Griffiths teaching has been extended to his successful YouTube page which he posts high quality education videos on.
He has been able to incorporate video learning into classrooms and was instrumental in founding the Academy of Ideas – an extension program with workshops such as Aviation, where students can design and build drones, learn about aerodynamics, and engage with aviation professionals.
Dr Griffiths has also co-ordinated his school’s recycling program, raising over $2,000 and significantly reducing carbon emissions.
Emma Reid – Mount Ommaney Special School
Emma Reid has been described as making “transformative” contributions to Mount Ommaney Special School through things like bringing a specialised non-verbal drama practice to her school.
Ms Reid was also the founding member of the school’s Reconciliation Action Committee chairing it for several years.
She co-ordinated the creation of a visually and linguistically accessible Acknowledgement of Country, which is embedded into daily practice in classrooms, and facilitated the acquisition of Indigenous resources for the school library.
When she was a school librarian for a number of years, her efforts led to the creation of two murals in collaboration with a local Indigenous family who designed and painted the artwork.
Kate Wilkinson – Redeemer Lutheran College
Kate Wilkinson’s passion for entrepreneurship has her leading real world learning experiences, including innovative design briefs, industry links and project-based learning opportunities for students at Redeemer Lutheran College. Under her leadership, students have engaged in entrepreneurial projects like regular pop-up stalls and themed events, including ‘Frappe Friday’ and ‘Thirsty Thursday’ which also serve as fundraisers for the community.
Ms Wilkinson’s passion and drive has led to students participating in international competitions such as the Wool4School fashion design contest, with Redeemer College standing out as the only Queensland school with multiple finalists.
INNOVATION IN TEACHING
Jenna Cullen – Marsden State High School
Jenna Cullen has introduced a number of initiatives with her major standout – the Science of Learning Pedagogy Toolkit.
It combines research with a strength-based approach to create a unified standard of high-quality teaching.
Another major innovation of Ms Cullen’s is revolutionising of 42 Professional Learning Communities which has encouraged teachers to engage in action research, share insights, and collaboratively enhance their teaching methods.
Paul Dionysius – Siena Catholic College
Students at Sunshine Coast’s Siena Catholic College are benefiting from streamlined administrative schooling processes led by Paul Dionysius.
As a Digital Technologies teacher, Mr Dionysius has implemented the Digital Technologies program.
Overseen by Mr Dionysius, students have developed an application that downloads student timetables, determines lesson times, and keeps students aware of their positive behaviour records.
It is now being prepared for distribution to all Year 7 students.
Anna Ludwig – Loganlea State High School
Anna Ludwig has been involved in several initiatives with her standout “Pixel Pulse” which pairs senior dance students with junior digital excellence students to choreograph routines that are then mimicked by Micromelon Robotics.
Ms Ludwig has also incorporated 3D printing into the Certificate II in Creative Industries course to address sustainability issues.
To enhance digital skills, Anna developed a self-paced Digital Badging course aligned with the ACARA 9.0 Digital Literacy General Capability.
In addition to her work with digital literacy, Ms Ludwig has actively engaged students in sustainability projects, including smart garden sensors developed using ‘Micro:bit’ coding to monitor temperature, humidity and light intensity and optimise plant growth.
Grant McGregor – St Patrick’s College
As the head of the mathematics and Digital Technologies Faculty at St Patrick’s College Townsville, Grant McGregor has significantly influenced student learning and fostered a strong STEM culture at the all-girls school.
In 2023, he seized a unique opportunity presented by the Royal Australian Navy: the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Propulsion (NPSP) Challenge. This initiative aimed to give students a first-hand look at submarine operations as Australia prepared to introduce advanced submarines.
Grant integrated the challenge into his curriculum, allowing his Year 10 Engineering students to explore the complexities of nuclear propulsion systems.
Christine Vinaccia – Earnshaw State College
At Earnshaw State College Christine Vinaccia has introduced cutting-edge 3D holographic technology that is revolutionising learning for her students.
In 2023, the school launched the Holobox project, a groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance classroom teaching
In 2024, Christine began testing the technology in her Year 11 Mathematical Methods and Physics classes in a partnership with Moranbah State High School colleagues to remotely co-teach using the Holobox.
EXCELLENT LEADERSHIP IN TEACHING AND LEARNING
Mackenzie Burn – Mitchelton State High School
As Deputy Principal at Mitchelton State High School, Mackenzie Burn has made a remarkable impact through two key initiatives.
The first initiative looked at the school’s ‘On Track for Success’ team, to link Junior Secondary teachers with nearby primary schools. Ms Burn also launched a Student Leadership Program to integrate student voices into school decision-making.
Overall, Ms Burns’ contributions have led to an increase in student enrolments by 15 per cent.
Roslyn Curtis – St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School
Enrolments have skyrocketed by 78 per cent under Ms Curtis’s leadership through refined teaching methods, attracting high quality staff, and supporting community cohesion.
Ms Curtis has overseen the creation of vibrant green spaces from previously barren areas, the opening of a $20 million sports precinct, a state-of-the-art lecture theatre, and an expanded staffroom.
A new cafeteria-style tuckshop is also under construction, and plans are underway for a performing arts centre within three years.
Sean Curtis – Marsden State High School
The southern hemisphere’s second biggest high school, Sean Curtis oversees 3,923 students and a vast network of 400 staff, including seven Deputy Principals, 25 Heads of Departments, and over 250 teachers.
Sean has played a significant role in creating the Marsden Art of Learning (MAOL) Pedagogy Toolkit and the Mako Lesson framework.
Under Sean’s leadership, Marsden has also launched several groundbreaking programs including The Academic Centre of Excellence – backed by an $18 million investment – offers modern learning spaces, a new curriculum, and a Tech Academy focused on robotics, virtual reality, eSports, and drone racing.
Kiri Griffiths – Loganlea State High School
Through her community engagement, in 2021 Kiri Griffiths formed a school partnership with Empower Assistance Dogs and over two years – through extensive consultation – secured grant funding to purchase the school’s trained therapy dog, Biscuit.
Biscuit is now the face of many student-led initiatives including a schoolwide litter prevention campaign called “Bin it for Biscuit”. The “Biscuit RePAWt” is also delivered by students at assemblies and to visiting groups.
When asked for a quote that inspired her teaching, Ms Griffiths said: “Paul Kelly’s “from little things, big things grow” – this quote relates to our work as educators. Sometimes, one person advocating for change is all that is needed to make a difference in the lives of young people.”
Benjamin Turnour – Bellbird Park State Secondary College
Benjamin Turnour has had an enormous impact as both a founding teacher and key leader at Bellbird Park State Secondary College by overseeing the implementation of the school’s Pedagogical Framework as EAL/D (English as an additional language or dialect) Coordinator and now the head of Teaching and Learning.
For the schools staff, he has led Collaborative Learning Communities (CLCs), organised professional development sessions, and facilitated peer observations to enhance teaching practices.
His implementation of a Beginning Mentor Teacher program, and trained mentors to provide meaningful support, has contributed to zero early career teacher departures from the profession in the last three years.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Tennille Bainbridge – Chancellor State College
As a Senior Teacher and Indigenous Coordinator, Tennille is dedicated to preserving Aboriginal languages and fostering cultural understanding.
Her call to action – “together, we can unleash our potential and achieve educational excellence for all” – resonates deeply across the college and its extended community.
Her efforts began with securing funding and forming partnerships with universities and the Stronger Smarter Institute to develop the Indigenous Academic Mentoring Program. One notable success story is a student who – with tailored support and a scholarship – excelled academically and pursued a university degree in engineering to become a qualified engineer.
Tennille co-developed the Strong and Smart STEM Initiative, engaging more than 300 students and teachers from the Sunshine Coast in culturally enriching First Nations STEM activities
Julie Coutts – Pimlico State High School
Described by her colleagues as “inspiring” Julie Coutts guidance has allowed he school’s Art’s program to flourish with an annual variety concert that includes 300 students in music, dance and drama.
Ms Coutts has also expanded Pimlico’s art exhibition into ‘Artscape’ which features hundreds of student works across visual arts and film, television and new media.
Particularly in music, Julie’s supportive approach has enhanced opportunities for students through tours, camps, and performances, while also helping raise over $100,000 for charities through the annual Charity Benefit Concert.
Julie has dedicated countless hours to events and contributed significantly to the design of the new $20 million Denise Glasgow Performing Arts Centre.
Luke McCormack – Maroochydore State High School
Luke McCormack has hugely supported the LGBTIAQ+ community at Maroochydore State High School through fostering programs like PRISM (Proud Identities & Supporters at Maroochydore State High School) which was introduced six years ago.
PRISM has become a widely used meeting group for LGBTQIA+ students and allies with rainbow steps that lead up to the PRISM room.
From Mr McCormack’s guidance, the school has embraced celebrations of diversity, including IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia) where faces are painted in rainbow colours, and Wear It Purple Day, featuring free-dress and purple-themed canteen food.
Mr McCormack has also led ‘Breathe’, a program aimed at improving school attendance and wellbeing for disengaged Year 9 girls.
Claire Stanic – Brisbane Bayside State College
Claire Stanic has been involved in the development of the Brisbane Bayside State College’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
In 2023 Ms Stanic assembled a wide RAP working party with students, teachers, and community members, to produce a vision for a more inclusive environment.
Securing a $10,000 grant from Together for Humanity, Ms Stanic redesigned the school’s communal spaces to reflect and honour Quandamooka traditions.
To do so, Ms Stanic enlisted a Quandamooka artist, with Elder approval, to create a mural depicting the land, sea, and sky of Quandamooka country.
Nanine-Barbel Stewart – Coolum State High School
Nanine Barbel-Stewart’s impact on Coolum State High School has been majorly through her role as the director of the AFL academy which was described as “transformative”.
Initially focused on the boys’ teams, Ms Barbel-Stewart saw an opportunity to expand the academy’s reach by also establishing a girls’ program.
As head coach of the women’s team, she both nurtures their athletic skills and mentors them in leadership and personal development.
Her dedication also expands to fostering connections with First Nations communities.
She was crucial in organising the Inaugural Coolum High AFL Indigenous Round, which saw students engage with the remote Gawa Christian School in the Northern Territory.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TEACHING
Alan Craig-Ward – Queensland Academy for Health Sciences
Alan Craig-Ward began his teaching career in 1984 teaching in various roles across both state and private sectors, including Woodridge SHS, Miami SHS, Palm Beach SHS, Gladstone SHS, Somerset College, and St Andrews.
His massive contribution came about in 2008 when he joined the foundation team of Queensland Academies Health Sciences Campus (QAHS), a selective school offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program.
As a classroom teacher, he has made a lasting impact in biology, mathematics, and theory of knowledge.
Deirdre Hall – Indooroopilly State High School
Her support is invaluable as a mentor to Junior Deputy Principals and Heads of Year and her leadership has propelled Indooroopilly State High School with the highest enrolment of deaf students in Queensland.
Deirdre Hall has created a culture of compassionate leadership and smooth transitions for students entering high school.
One of Ms Hall’s standout achievements was the introduction of therapy dogs, based on research from the University of Queensland.
Her influence also expands to advocating for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.
Karen Lewis – All Hallows’ School
She has impacted the broader school community through roles like Research Advisor for the Global Action Research Collaborative (GARC) and Project Leader of the Early Career Mentor Program.
As a Research Advisor Karen Lewis improved feedback practices, particularly for adolescent girls.
A part of the Early Career Mentor Program, Ms Lewis played a pivotal role in nurturing new educators after she set the program up in 2023.
Designed to connect early career teachers with seasoned mentors and provide a robust framework for professional development, the program has been a smashing success.
Suella Lye – Glenmore State High School
Suella Lye is the head of the maths department and student leader co-ordinator at Glenmore State High School.
She is also actively involved in QCAA General maths roles as a Lead endorser, Lead confirmer, and Lead external marker.
The founding organiser of the Satellite State Conference for Capricornia, Ms Lye liaises with QAMT to bring face-to-face professional development to Central Queensland mathematics teachers.
In her mission to support her colleagues no matter where they are geographically, Ms Lye has secured funding for teachers in remote and isolated areas to attend the conference.
Michael Smith – Marsden State High School
Michael Smith is committed to supporting student teachers with up to 500 from various universities being put on placement at Marsden State High School.
He developed a comprehensive induction program in collaboration with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) academics.
A dedicated ‘Praccie Room’ facilitates seamless interaction between trainee teachers and academics, further enhancing the learning experience.
Mr Smith’s flexibility and innovation shines through his collaboration with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to
craft unique placement experiences.
But his contributions also extend beyond his school role where he actively participates in university committees, mentors preservice teachers, and consults on course development.
Originally published as Queensland’s 31 most influential teachers revealed at 2024 Teach X awards
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