Congratulations to the State Finalists in the 2026 Australian Teacher Aide Team of the Year Awards.

These finalists represent the very best of education support across their respective states.

Top row: Kiara Mezza, Jessica White, Christopher Evans, Adam Belin, Tammy Charalambous
Bottom row: Evald Kruger, Jai Magrin, Sam Gash, Christiona Maddox, Patrick McPhillips
Absent: Thomas Carey, Archie Doyle, Chloe Hirst, Rina Lober, Rose Longa, Elise Simpson, Alamu Toomata, Elizabeth Tshibangu, Emily Warner, Harris Stuckey, Benjamin Stewart, Vijay Singh, Madison Starkovski
Top row: Reggie Frost, Emma Cameron, Stephanie Pannell, Amber Van Dartel
Bottom row: Jayden O'Shannessy, Richard Raward, Fernando Caceda
Absent: Joanne Conway
Left to Right: James Ward, Kenya Nebauer, Tyler Adams, Caroline Kofler, Tracey Sims, Treena Jordan
Left to Right: Tanya VanZwol, Lexie Leitinger, Leanne Hampel, Kerry Abraham, Vanessa Hughes, Stephanie Schwarz, Tanya Manocchio
Left to Right: Eddie Popowski, Dick Huisman, Jan-Maree House, Levi Saward, Damon Pyke

Top row: Kelli Riddiford, Lauri Alderwick, Marnie Browne, Ingrid Sibberas
Middle row: Mitchell Mazzarella, Stephanie Monds, Bethany Dixon, Ellyse Cosgrove, Elisa Massarotti, Johanna Walton, Neal Haining
Bottom row: Jackson Meshanic, Leanda Spitzer, Robyn Knight, Vanessa Harding
Absent: Helen Savaris, Serena Gibbs, Jessica Crea, Tayla Cane, Gemma Ryan, Sally Wingett, Laura Callanan, Kelly O'Brien, Lauren Thorsen, Natalie Eichelmann, Matthew Fothergill, Tina Pike, Jessica Gatehouse, Phoebe Phillipp, Samuel Wicks, Tilly Beard

Top row: Dionne Taylor, Caroline Kerr, Jennifer Rowles, Pennie Cowie, Emma Anderson
Seated row: Amanda Smith, Brooke Benbow, Kristy Fleming, Vicki Carroll
Bottom row: Jackson Meshanic, Leanda Spitzer, Robyn Knight, Vanessa Harding
Absent: Charlotte Doran,  Donna Swanson, Hayley Taylor, Kendal Giles, Lisa Clubley, Sandra Silligardos, Tabitha Bickley, Teagan Grant

Congratulations to the Highly Commended nominees in the 2026 Australian Teacher Aide Team of the Year Awards.

This recognition acknowledges education support professionals who consistently make a meaningful difference in their school communities. Their dedication to enhancing student learning and wellbeing, commitment to continuous professional development, and strong teamwork alongside teachers and colleagues exemplify the vital role teacher aides play every day.

Left to Right: Kiara Glasson, Greta Dunn, Kirstin Foia, Naheed Iqbal, Hayley Matas
Left to Right: Anna Morse, Janet Gillispie, Amy Richardson, Julia Russell, Megan Kelly
Absent: Alba Feely
Left to Right: Honee De Castro, Shubhi Sharma, Margo Fergusson, Caroline Anson, Yolanda Eckels, Kylie Hodges, Jack Brunner, Suzie Sulaiman
Front row: Annalisa Valessi, Sarah De Cleene, Jacki Goodall, Anna Manion
Back row: Debbie Beasley, Elise Wiseman, Sarah Nottingham, Alana Manders, Annette Nevill
Absent: Lorraine Stocker, Moya Carrie, Suzanne Baczyk
Left to Right: Michelle Hatton, Jeanette Ingram-Halford, Kathryn Whitelaw, Janet Schweizer, Bree Strachan, Toni Lea, Grace Byrne, Belinda Black, Cameron Griffiths. Susan Mills, Vanessa De Souza, Karina Taddei, Tristen Temata
Absent: Kara Rhodes, Leanne Cullam, Sherilee Murphy, Kathleen Greene, Kathryn Brooke

Congratulations to the following teacher aide teams
who have been nominated in the
2026 Australian Teacher Aide Team of the Year Awards!

Being nominated is a wonderful recognition of the dedication, care and positive impact these teaching assistants make in their schools and communities every day.

Thank you to the school leaders who took the time to acknowledge and celebrate their outstanding contributions.

School Team Name Nominees Nominated By
ACT      
University of Canberra High School - Kaleen #WeAreUCHSK Adam Belin, Thomas Carey, Tammy Charalambous, Jessica White, Archie Doyle, Christopher Evans, Chloe Hirst, Alyssa Jack, Rina Lober, Rose Longa, Christiona Maddox, Jai Magrin, Patrick McPhillips, William Sutton, Elise Simpson, Alamu Toomata, Elizabeth Tshibangu, Emily Warner, Harris Stuckey, Benjamin Stewart, Vijay Singh, Madison Starkovski Kate Woods
NSW      
Allegra School - Coffs Harbour Allegra's Learning Support Team Amber Van Dartel, Emma Cameron, Fernando Caceda, Jayden O'Shannessy, Joanne Conway, Reggie Frost, Richard Raward, Stephanie Pannell Kellie Green
Forbes North Public School Forbes North M.C. SLSO Team Mel Davey, Carol Gorton, Kim Clarke Marianne Hardy, Alex Jones and Karen Knight
Liverpool Girls High School School Learning Support Officers Team - Diverse Learning Unit Greta Dunn, Naheed Iqbal, Kirstin Foia, Kiara Glasson Hayley Matas
New Hope Christian School NHCS Teachers Assistant Team Carolyn Watkins, Sarah Sumskas, Maggie Chan, Joe Pennington, Janine Crocker, Debbie Barrett, Theresa Lee, Courtney Cattell, Rhonda Burfield, Cheryl Sefton, Felicity Kirkegard, Brooke Miller, Emily Powter, Marina Mourched Nathan Francis
Northlakes High School Teacher and Learning SLSO Chris Barrett, Raiha Reid, Karen Onslow, Joanne Blakey, Jodie Mularczyk Jarad Freebody
OneSchool Global Orange Campus Learning Support Team Nicole Aubrey, Jasmine Wallbank, Angela Shingles, Stephanie Donnelly, Kaye Fenwick, Carissa Morgan, Emily Nowlan Jennifer Quinn
Penrith Anglican College PAC Learning Support Aides Candace Lamplough, Sarah Jenkins, Laura Harrison, Jeanne Hanson, Faye Salvador, Sharryn Peacock, Emma Hoekzema Elizabeth Errington
St Johns College - Dubbo SJC Independent Learning Centre Team Kane Adams, Kasey Cook, Monique Daymond, Anthea Joshua, Fiona Joshua, William O'Connor, Emily O'Dea, Shannon Patterson, Christine Peacock, Petronella Pieterse, Cindy Robbins, Hannah Soole, Gemma-Lea Walsh, Gary Wright Vanessa Creed
NT      
Braitling Primary School Braitling SWI Team Jode Rayner, Rikki Truscott, Shana Ryan Donna Wright
Nhulunbuy Primary School Literacy Intervention Team Kelly Martin, Narelle Paton, Ella Macmahon Louisianna McAuliffe
Woodroffe Primary School Literacy Intervention Team Lara Dyson, Jayde Schaftenaar, Manon Keen, Miki Amorginou, Amy Clifton, Bailey Downing Kristy West
QLD      
Blackall Range Independent School BRIS TA Team Tyler Adams, Kenya Nebauer, Tracey Sims, Treena Jordan, James Ward, Caroline Kofler Laura Tierney
Coomera State Special School Coomera State Special School Education Assistant Champions Alicia Abbott, Zade Abbott, Claudia Adao, Rebecca Alchin, Herena Allen, Kaylin Bezuidenhout, Brooke Bidgood, Michelle Brown, Cally Bryant, Brock Buckley, Raphaella Bunting, Rochelle Cain, Michelle Carlaw, Stephanie Chaplin, Sharon Chidlow, Crystal Clark, Trudie Cook, Megan Davie, Lauren Davis, Shonagh Di Martino, Nick Donnelley, Jacob Draper, Tegan Ewin, Tahneisha Finlay, Nicole Fitzpatrick, Kelly Fretwell, Sophie Gibson, Kirby Graham, Joanne Greenup, Marina Griffiths, Erin Gurr, Rachael Guthrie, Tracy Hamilton, Stevie-Lee Jacobs, Sienna Jeffries, Haylee Jowett, Kamaljit Kaur, Emily Kinnish, Danielle Lawler, Denise Lee, Laura Lejeune, Ashlee Lockwood, Kerry Lockwood, Kristy Ludwig, Michelle Lunan-Smith, Hayley Mackedie, Juliana Maluche Schaefer, Kerri McFarlane, Jordynn-Jae McKenzie, Jordan McManus, Shanelle Murray, Jordanne Noble, Rebecca Phillips, Annlouise Poblete, Britt Priddis, Laura Purcell, Katie Radecki, Tamara Radford, Laura Richards, Melissa Ridgewell, Tayla Robke, Amy Sheilds, Pernilla Soedernerg, Paris Stagg, Amelia Stanton, Nathan Stewart, Hayley Stimson, Joanne Tucker, Sharyn Walsh, Danielle Watson, Samuel White, Allisha Whyte, Abigail Wilson, Cheryl Woodburn, Ethan Esguerra, Michael Murphy, Tamlyn Cooke, Tara Davies, Melanie Elliot, Amber Perry, Sierra Scott, David Wilson, Mardi Veler Kate Hucker
Genesis Christian College Secondary Learning Support Caitlin Enriquez, Cornelia McCreadie, Danielle Pirc, Isaac Wellings, Jennifer Lyne, Kylie Allen, Mariah Evans, Marie Ulbrich, Zuzana Mellor Nichola Welsh
Kruger State School Reading Intervention Team Alison Saur, Aman Sadioura, Cathy Quinn, Christine Sagar, Ettie Brown, Geet Sanghera, Janey Manase, Jenny Rose, Joanne George, Kalaivani Krishnamoorthy, Loretta Jorgensen, Margaret Edewor, France Tilyard, Michelle Tyson, Phoenix Clarke, Rachel Flores, Shaia Tautua, Tracy Kingdon, Tiare Hewitt Vannaphone Phadilok
Riverside Adventist School Riverside Team Teacher Aides Summa Bourne, Leisl Richter, Kate Kirkwood Nathalie Grant
Sheldon College Learning Enhancement ESOs Angela Daly, Brie Coe, Rebecca Short, Therese Davis, Katrina Klintworth, Hugh MacDonald, Louise Bowley, Marielle Ashcroft, Caitlin Gale, Natasha Herman, Paviter Sandhu, Nikki Brown, Rachel Whitehead, Sandra Evans, Susan Etherington, Jonel Mienie Matt Steenson
St Aidans Anglican Girls School - Corinda SWAN TA - INCLUSION Team Amy Richardson, Anna Morse, Julia Russell, Janet Gillispie, Alba Feely, Megan Kelly Kellie Hulme
St Luke's Anglican School St Luke's Teaching Assistants Donna-Lee Young, Joshua Furby, Dahna Edwards, Leeann Evans, Nikki McLeod, Keeley Harris, Talia Hayhoe, Katherine Hints Gemma Sinclair
Toowoomba Grammar School Senior School Teacher Aide Team Andrew Simshauser, Nicole Cumming, Tracy Voeller Rowena Staude
Trinity College - Beenleigh A Team Jeni Anderson, Janeen Leadbetter, Jamalhi Edwards, Dale Head, Celeste Huwiler Dale Head
Woodridge North State School Fly-in Squad Shara Boal, Michele Freemantle, Michele Highman, Ruby McNamara, Lorna Munro Michael McMahon
Woodridge North State School i-Hub Teacher Aides Hailey Bos, Louise Jensen, Kirsten Nielsen, Kieran Rees, Adrienne Watego, Kellie-Anne White Michael McMahon
SA      
Blackfriars Priory School Learning Enrichment Support Team Amber Deane-Axford, Anna Helm, Claire Holland, Flora Siskamanis, Hudson Cosgrove, Karin Owers-Stirrup, Louise Carlier, Mac Stacey, Petra Ferrier, Santina Barbaro, Erica Chao He, Diana Hatzipalousis, Felicity Erne, Frances Dello, Harry Jones, Isabella Quaini, Mark Macapagal, Maureen Zandona Dina Hasaneen
Golden Grove Lutheran Primary School Golden Grove Lutheran LSOs Lexie Leitinger, Kerry Abraham, Vanessa Hughes, Leanne Hampel, Stephanie Schwarz, Tanya Manocchio, Tanya VanZwol Will Wallace
Modbury High School LINKED classes Chez Lambropoulos, Serena Mik, Louise Loaker-Robbins Dr Swati Phatak
TAS      
Circular Head Christian School CHCS Reading Intervention Team Jan-Maree House, Eddie Popowski, Dick Huisman, Damon Pyke, Levi Saward Laura Anderson
VIC      
Donald High School Donald High School ESS Team Belicia Francis, Caitlin Cavanagh, Tamara Pearse, Susan Upton, Belinda Murray Sarah OBrien
Mount Lilydale Mercy College Mount Lilydale Mercy College Learning Support Officers Bethany Dixon, Elizabeth Griffin, Elisa Massarotti, Ellyse Cosgrove, Gemma Ryan, Helen Savaris, Ingrid Sibberas, Jessica Crea, Jessica Gatehouse, Johanna Walton, Jackson Meshanic, Kelli Riddiford, Kelly O'Brien, Lauri Alderwick, Lauren Thorsen, Laura Callanan, Leanda Spitzer, Mitchell Mazzarella, Matilda Beard, Marnie Browne, Matthew Fothergill, Natalie Eichelmann, Ryan Potter, Robyn Knight, Serena Gibbs, Samuel Manning, Sally Wingett, Samuel Wicks, Tayla Cane, Tina Pike, Vanessa Harding Neal Haining
OneSchool Global Melton OneSchool Campus Learning Support Team Shubhi Sharma, Caroline Anson, Yolanda Eckels, Margo Fergusson, Suzie Sulaiman, Jack Brunner, Kylie Hodges, Honee De Castro Leanne Little
Roxburgh College Roxy Classroom E.S Adam Nahkuri, Dina Daniel, Dane Resuggan, Caroline De Nato, Jessica Camilleri, Manal Saadi, Hudson Ebbage, Huseyin Aktas, Jodie Crockett, Jonathan Ouraha, Lisa Lonigro, Mitshi Eshoo, Renee Baird, Rima Kakos, Sarwah Ibrahim, Shobha Kumar, Simon Saltarelli, Robyn Woods, Gamze Erduran, Nicole Nugent, Rita Slewa, Warren Bockting, Seher Saylak, Marilyn Causer Bianca Foti
St Thomas More Primary School STM Learning Support Officers Alana Manders, Annalisa Valessi, Anna Manion, Annette Nevill, Debbie Beasley, Elise Wiseman, Jacki Goodall, Lorraine Stocker, Moya Carrie, Sarah De Cleene, Suzanne Baczyk, Sarah Nottingham Gian Hakim
WA      
Beldon Education Support Centre Beldon's Exceptional Support Team Belinda Black, Kathryn Brooke, Grace Byrne, Leanne Cullum, Vanessa DeSouza, Kathleen Greene, Cameron Griffiths, Michelle Hatton, Jeanette Ingram Halford, Toni Lea, Susan Mills, Sherilee Murphy, Kara Rhodes, Janet Schweizer, Bree Strachan, Karina Taddei, Tristen Temata, Kathryn Whitelaw Fiona McCole
Comet Bay Primary School CBPS SNEA Team Brooke Benbow, Caroline Kerr, Charlotte Doran, Dionne Taylor, Donna Swanson, Hayley Taylor, Jennifer Rowles, Kendal Giles, Kristy Fleming, Lisa Clubley, Mandy Smith, Pennie Cowie, Sandra Silligardos, Tabitha Bickley, Teagan Grant, Vicki Carroll Jaymi Evans
Secret Harbour Primary School Secret Harbour PS EA Team Amy Frazer, Deborah Whelan, Helen Gilmore, Laura Lilley, Mami Sekine, Sonia Thomas, Tanya Gilchrist, Vikkie Saunders, Chelsea Tutaki, Corrina Huxham, Ellie Wyatt, Jade Newbury, Karen Towell, Kaycie Jeffery, Kelly Robertson, Mikayla Owen, Moeroa Van Schelven, Mylie Jonker, Pamela Beales, Renae Crafter, Ruth Morrison, Tanya Huriwai, Tracey Cassels Samantha Letch