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St Mary’s teachers join elite group of educators

TWO Toowoomba Catholic Schools teachers have been successful in joining an elite group of Australia’s best teachers by gaining Lead Teacher Certification.

Director of Senior Pathways at St Mary's College, Eleighta Hannam.
Director of Senior Pathways at St Mary's College, Eleighta Hannam.

TWO Toowoomba Catholic Schools teachers have been successful in joining an elite group of Australia’s best teachers by gaining Lead Teacher Certification.

The certification is recognised nationally and teachers gaining this status have been independently assessed as having the highest levels of expertise and capability as classroom practitioners and educational leaders in their fields.

Director of Senior Pathways at St Mary's College, Eleighta Hannam.
Director of Senior Pathways at St Mary's College, Eleighta Hannam.

Eleighta Hannam from St Mary’s College and Angela Martlew from Mater Dei Primary School are the first teachers in Queensland Catholic schools to achieve this certification and two of only seven in Catholic schools nationally.

Ms Hannam decided to apply for Lead Teacher certification after attending an information session presented by the Queensland College of Teachers.

“The process required a very thorough self-assessment of my professional practice.

“I can now say that my practice is more informed, my leadership is more considered and my professional contact network beyond my school has grown significantly,” Ms Hannam said.

Mater Dei teacher Angela Martlew said the certification process was both challenging and rewarding.

Angela Martlew, Middle Leader and Teacher at Mater Dei Primary School.
Angela Martlew, Middle Leader and Teacher at Mater Dei Primary School.

“Going through the process has also raised an awareness of the AITSL standards and certification among my colleagues,” she said.

“This means that as a profession, teachers are more aware of what it means to be an effective teacher in the 21st century and can align their practice to the standards.”

Both teachers said they looked forward to supporting others through the process.

Executive director of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Dr Patrick Coughlan said the certification was a credit to both teachers.

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/toowoomba/st-marys-teachers-join-elite-group-of-educators/news-story/87922a197b2016bf8543c5c72070752c