Vote now | Toowoomba’s teacher of the year 2024

Teachers are the foundation of education, doing their very best to inspire, motivate and build the confidence and skills for our future generations. Find out who your favourite teachers are and vote to crown the teacher of the year.

Toowoomba's teacher of the year 2024

The unsung heroes, the knowledge behind the learning, the motivators of the next generation, teachers do it all.

As the school year comes to completion, find out what makes these educators exceptional before casting your vote to name one as teacher of the year.

Toowoomba Anglican School

Chrissie Edwards

Chrissie Edwards from Toowoomba Anglican School has been nominated as Toowoomba's teacher of the year.

Teaching English, Literature, English and Literature Extensions, Mrs Edwards is dedicated towards ensuring TAS students are prepared and organised in their learning goals.

She was nominated as her attention to individuals and the work that she puts in to help them to achieve is exemplary. Mrs Edwards’ approach to teaching with high yield strategies and with working with the team to choose excellent texts to study have proven very effective over the course of 2024.

Paul Barber

Paul Barber from Toowoomba Anglican School has been nominated as Toowoomba's teacher of the year.

As Head of Pathways, Mr Barber is a fountain of knowledge and goes out of his way to make sure every single student is well prepared and well informed about their choices through their senior secondary years and beyond.

He was nominated as his mentoring of teachers who are interested in the field of career education has been greatly appreciated.

Mr Barber’s friendly and approachable manner has endeared him to the students and the wider school community.

Jai Dwyer

Jai Dwyer from Toowoomba Anglican School has been nominated as Toowoomba's teacher of the year.

Described by one parent who nominated her as an amazing, caring and patient teacher who truly goes above and beyond for her students.

Bethany Graham

Bethany Graham from Toowoomba Anglican School has been nominated as Toowoomba's teacher of the year.

Mrs Graham was nominated because she has the ability to keep all the kids engaged, as well as being thoughtful, supportive and caring.

Wilsonton State School

Alysha Von Pein

Miss Von Pein was nominated because she is a caring and loving teacher who goes above and beyond for her students.

Beth Tyson

Beth Tyson was nominated for her amazing work with the class this year and her dedication to her children.

Highlands Christian College

Kathryn Mason

Kathryn Mason is described as the most perfect teacher in the world.

Our Lady of Lourdes

Suzanne Lasserre

This teacher is a gem, she is one in a million.

Danielle Leathart

An amazing, passionate and kind teacher who goes above and beyond always.

Dannielle Taylor

A kind, caring and genuine teacher.

Jenny MacDonald

Jenny MacDonald is a wonderful teacher with a caring nature.

Mel Ferguson

She makes learning fun and is kind and caring with the kids. She loves her job and it shows as the students are thriving. She is kind, caring and a fantastic communicator.

Demi Lawry

Mrs Lawry was nominated as she individualises her approach to each student and keeps them engaged in their learning.

Melita Hohn

Prep teacher Melita Hohn was nominated as her love and dedication to teaching goes above and beyond to make sure all her students succeed. She encourages them to step out of their comfort zone and to try their very best in everything they do.

Kylie McKenzie

Downlands College

Sharon Thanabal

This teacher was nominated for her 28 years of work in education and because effort she puts in to make all children exceed is exceptional. She is a true asset and is described as the epitome of what an educator should be.

Michael Montafia

Michael goes above and beyond for his classes, trying to enhance their skills for all aspects of life. This year he made ginger bread men-cookie for his senior class to decorate before their exams block to help relax and celebrate all the hard work.

St Saviour’s

Paula Wagner

So much genuine love and care for all of the children, Mrs Paula Wagner embodies everything a great teacher should be – compassionate, supportive, and dedicated.

A dedicated teacher who goes above and beyond always.

Melinda Harkins

Janelle Wann

A dedicated teacher who goes above and beyond always.

Natalie Anne O’Brien

A dedicated teacher who goes above and beyond always.

Henry Logan

Lucy Hogan

Sacred Heart Primary School

Sarah Reed

Miss Sarah Reed is completely dedicated to her kids and always available for a chat.

Jesse Curtis

Maddy Robinson

A dedicated teacher who goes above and beyond always.

Charlie Barrett

Charlie Barrett is a dedicated and hardworking teacher, supporting both students and fellow teachers at Sacred Heart Primary School for many years. She plays a crucial role in supporting the transition of her students and their families from primary to secondary education. Additionally, as a Curriculum Co-ordinator, Mrs. Barrett supports her fellow teachers in building their curriculum knowledge. Her leadership and expertise help to create a cohesive and effective learning environment for both students and teachers.

Jodie Manley

Jodie Manley consistently delivers engaging units of work, tailored to meet the diverse learning needs of her students. Whether she is challenging advanced learners or offering additional support to those who need it, Mrs. Manley employs data-driven strategies to ensure the success of every child in her care. Mrs Manley excels in communicating effectively with families, fostering strong partnerships that support her students’ learning and development.

Angela Tevelein

Angela Tevelein has been an early years educator at Sacred Heart Primary School for more than 20 years. Her partnerships with families ensure that all members of a child’s ‘team’ are on board and heading in the same direction on the child’s learning journey.

Concordia Lutheran College

Lee-Anne Millet

Mrs Millett is kind, caring and supportive. She goes above and beyond in the classroom and makes learning fun and interactive. Her class adores her as their teacher.

Emma Stewart

Paul Baker

Paul Baker is an absolute legend. He leads by example to teach our kids compassion and kindness, with a healthy dose of humour.

Glenvale State School

Emily Watson

She is amazing when it comes to accepting and catering for the diverse needs of students. She goes above and beyond to make sure everyone is accepted, welcomed and has the education resources or adjustments needed to succeed. An absolutely phenomenal teacher.

Vale View Primary School

Courtney Jones

Courtney Jones is very passionate with her teaching and caring for her classroom.

Clifford Park Special School

Angelene Montafia

Angelene Montafia was nominated as she is totally committed to children especially those who need special schools. She shows compassion, selflessness and innovation to make learning fun and enjoyable for her students. She knows how these children learn and is always supportive and encouraging.

Courtney Hudson

A phenomenal teacher who gives so much of herself to the kids in her class.

Katrina Robinson

Katrina Robinson was nominated as she goes above and beyond for her students and families. She continues includes school graduates in Friday walking club and organises a party in the park with current students and their families in the holidays so their friendships with their peers can continue to grow. She is one of a kind.

St Ursula’s College

Amanda Kilgour

Amanda Kilgour was nominated as she does an amazing job supporting each and every student while also supporting staff as a head of faculty. She continues to bring in new initiatives to give our girls a dynamic education. She promotes STEM and education of the whole person. Her passion for teaching science has brought wonderful initiatives for our students.

St Joseph’s College

Natalie Wright

An amazing teacher who shows compassion to her students and provides a safe and engaging space to learn in. There should be more teachers like Mrs Wright.

Rangeville State School

Leonie Ross

Leonie Ross was nominated and described as the best year 3 teacher.

Andrea Bothman

St Monica’s Oakey

Sarah Malone

Sarah Malone was nominated because she is patient, kind and just amazing.

Oakey State School

Tammy Fagan

This teacher is absolutely the best teacher.

Jessica Rudd

Toowoomba State High School

Danielle Stephens

St Mary’s College

Aiden Watterson

Aidan Watterson from St Mary's College has been nominated as Toowoomba's teacher of the year.

Aidan Watterson is a great teacher and a wonderful role model. He is more than happy to spend the extra time with one of the boys if that’s what it takes to help them understand the work or complete an assignment. He’s also a great person who helps students through life and troubles. He’s also involved in cricket and rugby league coaching. As a proud SMC Old Boy, Mr Watterson wants to give our current students the opportunities he had when he was a boy at St Mary’s College.

Mark Gregson

Mark Gregson from St Mary's College has been nominated as Toowoomba's teacher of the year.

Mark Gregson’s classroom is a happy and friendly place where boys feel welcome. He understands boys, how they work best and has a knack of explaining new ideas really well. He is really clear about his expectations at school and he teaches the boys explicitly. This year, he has given the primary boys access to mountain biking as a sport and his patience and generosity are much appreciated.

Hector Peralta

Hector Peralta from St Mary's College has been nominated as Toowoomba's teacher of the year.

Hector Peralta has had a significant influence on the St Mary’s College community since his arrival here five years ago. He has introduced and established Spanish, regularly cooks paella for us, and passionately shares his Colombian and Spanish heritage. He is equally passionate about supporting the boys through mental health challenges and effectively addressing bullying, especially through his work with the year 9 cohort. This year, Hector led a small group of staff and students to Spain for a religion/language tour in the September holidays.

Emu Creek State School

Amanda Middleton

Tania Schmidt

Gowrie State School

Karina Anderson

Karina Anderson is described as the most beautiful human.

Pittsworth State High School

Jacqui Schiller

She goes out of her to make sure her students succeed both in and out of the classroom. Her past students still visit regularly to help out.

St Thomas More’s

Erin McVeigh

Erin McVeigh goes above and beyond for her students. She is the definition of someone going into a career for the passion and love.

Lynda Rowling

Lynda Rowling from St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School has been nominated as Toowoomba's teacher of the year.

Lynda Rowling always has the student’s best interests at heart. She makes all students feel loved, respected and valued within their classroom environment allowing them to become risk takers and achieve success emotionally and academically. Lynda values each child as an individual learner.

Kristin Byrne

Kristin Byrne from St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School has been nominated as Toowoomba's teacher of the year.

Assistant principal mission and identity Kristin encourages staff to experience and share in the loving presence of Jesus by creating masses and prayer celebrations that not only suit the students but also allows the staff to share in worship. Kristin supports the teachers with their religious planning and gives her time to help develop engaging units for the students at our school.

Deena Jones

Deena Jones from St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School has been nominated as Toowoomba's teacher of the year.

Deena Jones has been teaching at St Thomas’ since 2020 and was a student herself in the 1990s. She acted as the part time Digital Technology teacher, sharing the joy of digital technologies with students from prep – year 6. Deena brought a love of technology to the whole school through her dynamic and engaging lessons each week.

The year 2 teacher has a great knowledge of the curriculum and how students learn and is able to cater to a diverse range of needs in her classroom.

The Glennie School

Cathy Somerfield

Cathy Somerfield from the Glennie School has been nominated as Toowoomba's teacher of the year.

Cathy’s determination to ensure that each one of the girls in her class has the opportunity to be all she can be. Cathy’s classroom is a wonderful balance of pedagogy and people. She seamlessly blends teaching the curriculum with practical life skills, ensuring her girls are exposed to higher-level content while challenging them to think beyond the four walls of the classroom.

Emily Whiting

Emily Whiting from the Glennie School has been nominated as Toowoomba's teacher of the year.

Emily Whiting is nominated for her outstanding leadership, dedication to student wellbeing, and transformative contributions to our school’s wellbeing framework. Emily’s commitment to the holistic development of students, particularly in enhancing the care, resilience, and overall wellbeing of our girls, has set her apart as a true leader in our community. Emily’s work has been instrumental in improving outcomes for students, enabling them to build resilience, self-awareness, and positive interpersonal skills.

Drew Copeland

Drew Copeland from the Glennie School has been nominated as Toowoomba's teacher of the year.

Drew is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable teacher whose passion for Agriculture Science and Technology shines through in every lesson. He brings enthusiasm and creativity to his teaching, constantly finding relatable ways to engage his students.