2005 Teacher Winners
Categories:
Primary
Michelle Williams
Townsville West State School, Queensland
This award recognises excellence in teaching by Michele, demonstrated by her development of a Rocks and Minerals unit for her Year 4 class. The unit is structured to engage the curiosity and interest of her students and to provide them with a positive learning environment.
Formulated in conjunction with the students through class 'brainstorming' sessions, the unit involves classroom discussions and debates, hands-on projects, excursions, and talks by guest experts from the local community, including academics, gem and rock hobbyists, jewellers and industry education officers.
This broad range of activities provides opportunities for the students to scientifically investigate various rocks and end products, explore change, consider different perspectives, identify human impacts, look at global processes and make different connections to the world around us.
The Rocks and Minerals unit has generated and sustained a high level of student interest in scientific knowledge and processes. That Michele was able to achieve this without access to the level of resources available to teachers in major cities is impressive. It is testament to Michele's commitment and energy in inspiring her students to be engaged in meaningful learning experiences that they can benefit from for the rest of their lives.
Secondary
Darren Hamley
Willetton Senior High School, WA
Darren receives this award for his long-term commitment to excellence in science education and science in general. A teacher for more than 20 years, he is currently coordinator of his school's Gifted and Talented program. Passionate about the education of gifted students in science, Darren's philosophy is 'to teach my students to be scientists rather than just teach them science'.
To achieve this aim, Darren focuses on fostering the individual potential of each of his students and also devotes significant time to teaching them to develop and apply scientific research skills. His enthusiasm is reflected in the many extra-curricular science activities he conducts for his students. Through his support, over the years his students have achieved success academically and in science competitions, including the BHP Billiton Science Awards.
Darren is also actively involved in engendering interest in science beyond the school, conducting workshops and seminars to assist other teachers and community groups, publishing books, presenting papers at education conferences, serving on science-related councils and committees, and being involved in civic activities that promote science.
Through his commitment, Darren has made a significant contribution to science teaching and has motivated hundreds of students to enjoy the challenge of science.
Highly Commended
Agnelo D'Souza
Woodvale Senior High School, WA
Sue Betteridge
Dandaragan Primary School, WA
Brett Barber
John Paul College, Vic
Merit
Sandra Woodward
Oakhill College, NSW
Richard Meagher
Mt Lawley Senior High, WA
Raimund Pohl
Cheltenham Girls High School, NSW
Peter Hope
Karoo Primary School, VIC
Anna Montgomery
St Michael's Belfield, NSW
Matthew Ryan
Brigidine College, NSW
Gary Simpson
Woodleigh School, VIC
Kerry Ayre
St Joseph's Catholic High School, NSW
School of the Year Award
Willetton Senior High School, WA