Far North teacher wins national $45,000 CBA Teaching Award
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Sharon Case, teacher of Mossman State School in Far North Queensland has been celebrated and recognised for their work in creating the first Indigenous languages program that aligns with the Australian Curriculum.
As a 2020 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Award Winner, Sharon will receive a Teaching Fellowship valued at $45,000. This will include $10,000 for their own professional development and $25,000 to implement a strategic project that drives long-term, measurable benefits for their school.
Later this year, the 2020 Teaching Fellows will also be given the opportunity to travel internationally and tour a high-performing education system.
“Half our total enrollment identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander at Mossman State School, and we saw a unique opportunity to work with our broader community to develop and test new ways of learning that will better engage our students,” said Case.
“We’re now attracting significant interest from other schools throughout Australia and we’re sharing the program at a state level in Queensland and Tasmania. I’m very proud of what we have been able to achieve here,” she said.
Now in its fourth year, the awards are run in partnership with national charity Schools Plus and have evolved to be one of Australia’s most prestigious prizes with a focus on educators working in disadvantaged communities.
Nathan Barker, Head of Community Investment at Commonwealth Bank said, “We are delighted to play a part in identifying and awarding 12 inspirational teachers and school leaders each year who have made a positive and tangible impact on their schools and communities. These awards not only honour their incredible work in engaging young minds to learn, but also recognise a dedication to teaching in areas that need it most.”
Sharon was chosen from more than 400 education professionals who were nominated across Australia.
The 2020 Teaching Fellows are:
- Scott Sleap, Deputy Principal at Cessnock High School, NSW
- Jacklyn Roberts, Principal at Bakewell Primary School, NT
- Chris Buswell, Higher Order Thinking Coach, STEM Coordinator Teacher at Mountain Creek State High School, QLD
- Jay Page, Technology Specialist and Pedagogy Coach at Goodna State School, QLD
- Sharon Case, Head of Teaching and Learning at Mossman State School, QLD
- Wendy Goldston Teacher, Program Coordinator at Frenchville State School, QLD
- Julie Murphy, Principal at Elizabeth Vale Primary School, SA
- Scott Dirix, Senior Leader of Alternative Programs at Salisbury East High School, SA Warren Symonds, Principal at Mount Barker High School, SA
- Jennie Vine, Assistant Principal at Wooranna Park Primary School, VIC
- Matthew Knight, Principal at Cobram Primary School, VIC
- Lisa Young, Teacher at South Kalgoorlie Primary School, WA
These winners will join 36 alumni from previous years who have also been nationally recognised as leaders and experts in their field, and who have made a real difference to their local community.
Pearl Dy is a community manager and journalist. She is passionate about business and development particularly involving not-for-profits, charity and social entrepreneurship.
