Congratulations to the Highly Commended nominees in the 2023 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards.
The Highly Commended nominees have been recognised for their significant contribution to student learning and wellbeing, collaboration with teachers and colleagues, and improved practice through professional development and training.
Thank you to the many schools that submitted a nomination and made time to recognise the work of their teacher aides. We hope you enjoy reading about the difference our Highly Commended nominees make to students, their schools, and the community.
Highly Commended
Marie Lee
Cranleigh School, ACT
Nominated by: Cathy Otten, Deputy Principal
Marie Lee, a Learning Support Assistant, at Cranleigh School ACT, has been Highly Commended in the 2023 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards.
Marie has worked at Cranleigh School as a Learning Support Assistant since 2017 and has been instrumental in teaching staff to use complex Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Marie ensures that the children she works with have a voice, by quietly and effectively modelling Augmentative and Alternative Communication to everyone around her, and has developed a rich skill set to model and teach complex communication and sensory regulation strategies to both students and other staff members.
Deputy Principal, Cathy Otten, described Marie as the Learning Support Queen, and said that she maintains a wholistic approach to students and their families, working quietly and confidently to develop strong and trusting connections on which to base a strong learning environment.
Highly Commended
Sharon Everson
Central Coast Steiner School, NSW
Nominated by: Rosemary Michalowski, Principal
Sharon Everson, Head of Secondary School Learning Support at Central Coast Steiner School NSW, has been Highly Commended in the 2023 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards.
Sharon liaises with teachers to differentiate instruction and assessment strategies, implement appropriate adjustments, and coach students to successful completion of assessment tasks.
Sharon demonstrates an intelligent and insightful approach to understanding and supporting complex students’ needs, drawing on evidence-based practices to implement creative and diverse adjustments, and coaching students to overcome mindset hurdles.
Principal Rosemary Michalowski said that Sharon’s support has meant that students who may otherwise have experienced a sense of failure instead experienced themselves as successful and capable learners. Over the last 16 years, hundreds of students have benefited meaningfully from her assistance. Each year, approximately 20% of our graduating students may not have received a ROSA qualification without Sharon’s intervention.
Highly Commended
Hilary Windsor
Denison College Of Secondary Education, Kelso High Campus, NSW
Nominated by: Nathan Kenny, Deputy Principal Inclusion and Support
Hilary Windsor, a School Learning Support Officer (SLSO), at Denison College of Secondary Education, Kelso High Campus, NSW, has been Highly Commended in the 2023 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards.
Hilary leads the QuickSmart maths program across the entire Kelso High School campus, and is responsible for developing, implementing, and reviewing all aspects of the program, ensuring its effectiveness and impact on student numeracy skills.
She trains the SLSOs in the delivery of the QuickSmart program, and works with students to improve their automatic recall of number facts, and provide them with strategies for calculating numbers, and acquire of problem-solving skills.
Nathan Kenny, Deputy Principal Inclusion and Support, reported that Hilary has had a significant impact on student learning outcomes, and that Year 7 diagnostic testing showed that the average growth of students who participated in the QuickSmart program more than double that of students who did not.
Highly Commended
Michelle Whiting
OneSchool Global – East Maitland Campus, NSW
Nominated by: Timothy Brennan, Teacher
Michelle Whiting, a Learning Support Officer (SLSO), at OneSchool Global – East Maitland Campus, NSW, has been Highly Commended in the 2023 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards.
Michelle helps to improve the literacy of identified students through intervention programs implemented by the Learning Support team. She delivers the Macqlit program for groups of students in the primary school, and individual students identified for targeted intervention in the secondary school.
The OneSchool Global East Maitland Team who nominated Michelle, agreed that she is a vital part of students learning journey and has contributed greatly to their growth and wellbeing both academically and socially.
Michelle’s dedication to professional growth to better support students is evident in her practice, and records of student achievement demonstrate a clear pattern of improvement at a rate which is well above what they would be able to achieve through their regular classes alone.
Highly Commended
Terri Wilson
Pymble Ladies' College, NSW
Nominated by: Lora Lim, Head of Learning Support & Kate Brown, Head of Junior School
Terri Wilson, a Teacher Aide, at Pymble Ladies' College NSW, has been Highly Commended in the 2023 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards.
Terri works across Year 3 to Year 12, supporting students with a range of disabilities, and is a strong advocate for students with disability and their families.
Terri works in partnership with Learning Support teachers to lead the College’s literacy intervention program, MacqLit. She implements systematic reading intervention, keeps detailed records of student’s progress, and liaises with class teachers to differentiate instruction, and has directly improved the reading accuracy and fluency of 15 students across Years 3 – 6, with a growth range from 6 to 18mths in reading accuracy and/or reading fluency.
We consider Terri a quiet hero, said Lora Lim, Head of Learning Support & Kate Brown, Head of Junior School.
Highly Commended
Julie Kennan
Ravenswood School for Girls, NSW
Nominated by: Fiona Cooney, Head of Learning Enrichment and Research
Julie Kennan, a Learning Enrichment Teaching Assistant at Ravenswood School for Girls NSW, has been Highly Commended in the 2023 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards.
Julie plays an instrumental role in the learning and wellbeing of junior school students, currently supporting Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 students, and a high needs student in Year 5, as well as and providing support to students requiring disability provisions in the senior school.
She supports individual students in reading, writing, and maths groups, coordinates small group literacy support programs, oversees testing and support for decodable readers for Year 2 students, and provides intensive support for high needs students.
Fiona Cooney, Head of Learning Enrichment and Research, said that Julie’s dedication to student learning, commitment to professional growth, and collaborative relationships with staff have significantly enhanced their educational environment.
Highly Commended
Ashleigh Olsen
St Columba Anglican School, NSW
Nominated by: Brianna Lukes, Teacher
Ashleigh Olsen, a Teacher Aide, at St Columba Anglican School, NSW, has been Highly Commended in the 2023 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards.
Ashleigh works in a diverse classroom setting with students of varying abilities and needs, providing support to students with learning difficulties, and assisting in the implementation of behaviour management strategies.
She collaborates with teachers to develop and modify lesson plans to accommodate student needs, provide essential assistance in classroom management and organisation, develop and implement differentiated instructional strategies, and adapt materials and activities to meet the diverse needs of students.
Teacher, Brianna Lukes, said Ashleigh has made a significant impact on the overall effectiveness of the school community, and is known for her willingness to share resources, knowledge, and effective teaching practices with colleagues, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
Highly Commended
Cameron Walsh
Forest Lake State High School, QLD
Nominated by: Leonie White, Head of Special Education Services
Cameron Walsh, a Teacher Aide at Forest Lake State High School, QLD has been Highly Commended in the 2023 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards.
Cameron works in a range of classroom environments, including Design Technology, Engineering, Furnishing, Graphics Skills and eSports, and regularly supports students with substantial or extensive learning needs.
Cameron strives to ensure active engagement in learning by knowing each student, building rapport, and tailoring his approach according to their needs. He consistently reinforces teacher expectations and instructions, and updates teachers with information he receives during lessons, to inform future lessons. He observes students and encourages them to articulate their learnings and showcase their mastery of subject-specific skillsets.
Leonie White, Head of Special Education Services said that Cameron is committed to helping every student reach their potential at Forest Lake State High School.
Highly Commended
Kristal Sztybel
Kenmore State High School, QLD
Nominated by: Visual Arts, Media and Business Department, through Principal Mr Paul Robertson
Kristal Sztybel, a Teacher Aide at Kenmore State High School, Queensland has been Highly Commended in the 2023 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards.
Kristal supports the ‘Presenting’ dimension for student work within the Australian Curriculum - The Arts (Media Arts and Visual Arts), inspiring student creators, and promoting wellbeing through self-expression and community validation.
She has curated the school’s art gallery with displays of students’ work, designed and printed alumni plaques that celebrate the achievements of past students working in the media industry, designed bespoke subject brochures, and produced stylish programs, tickets, attendance spreadsheets and posters for a range of events including Open Days, Subject Selection Days and Film Premiere Nights.
The Visual Arts, Media and Business department, and Principal Mr Paul Robertson described Kristal as an unsung hero, and a role-model giant.
Highly Commended
Andrea Bishop
Northern Christian School, TAS
Nominated by: Kerrie Prentice, Learning Enrichment Coordinator
Andrea Bishop, a Teacher Aide at Northern Christian School TAS, has been Highly Commended in the 2023 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards.
Andrea coordinates the Macqlit Program, working closely with teachers and the Learning Enrichment Team to plan, implement, monitor and adjust the program and activities students are working on, and identify students who may benefit from additional instruction.
As a result of ongoing professional development and training, Andrea has gained the skills to assess student learning, implement resources and programs including MacqLit and PM Benchmark Assessment; and work successfully with students with Specific Learning Disorders in Reading, Writing and Mathematics.
Kerrie Prentice said that Andrea demonstrates a passion for working with all students, particularly those students who need extra support and encouragement, and is held in high regard by the school community.
Highly Commended
Maxine Baring
Good Shepherd College, VIC
Nominated by: Erin Parker, Applied Learning Teacher
Maxine Baring, a Teacher Aide at Good Shepherd College, VIC, has been Highly Commended in the 2023 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards.
Maxine works with the Year 10 Applied Learning teacher and twelve students, to deliver MacqLit and SMART Spelling to individuals and small groups. She provides 1:1 and small group support to students delivering Numeracy and/or Literacy intervention as well as delivering lessons focused on Financial Literacy.
Maxine collaborates with the teacher to understand tasks, the support required, and the materials to prepare for the successful delivery of lessons. She works with teachers or relevant staff to debrief, analyse behaviours and actions, and plan for next steps.
Erin Parker, Applied Learning Teacher said that Maxine is very diligent in ensuring she understands the purpose of tasks and the desired student outcomes.
