World Teachers' Day
Study Gold Coast appreciates the dedication and hard work of our wonderful teachers across the Gold Coast. Thank you for investing in our students and creating a brighter future. As we celebrate World Teachers’ Day 2021, discover some of our passionate educators and the motivators that drive them.
Tom Cullen
Trinity Lutheran College
"The best part of being a teacher is that rewards and challenges will come from the most unexpected people and places. I do my best to always be personable and positive, taking delight in finding the best in others."
Maria Vedis
Pacific Training Group
"There are so many aspects of teaching that I love, it really is a great buzz for me. I find it’s vital to build a rapport with students by keeping our conversations relatable by using real world examples."
Shane McMaster
Robina State High School
"When students start going above the curriculum, asking questions and showing genuine interest and enthusiasm about what we are learning, I know I have done my job."
Miranda van’t Hof
Miami State High School
"I love being in the classroom, connecting with my students and encouraging them to believe in themselves. It’s those moments when you impart knowledge and skills, then you take a step back and allow your students to explore and create."
KESHLAN ChINIA
The Southport School
"Both my parents were teachers and I also have a love of learning, so I guess I was always destined to become a teacher. I’m passionate about learning new things and as such adaptable to the changing times of technology."
GEMMA BERIMAN
Miami State High School
"I love seeing students engage in their learning and ultimately become independent – the teacher should be the facilitator of the learning, not the font of all knowledge!"
AMANDA WILLIAMS
Trinity Lutheran College
"I’ve had so many proud teaching moments. One of my proudest moments was when an alumni student sent me a screenshot of his first university result for economics. He achieved 97% and thanked me for everything that I taught him."
Elina Kallergi
The Language Academy
"I try to make the learning experience more fun by incorporating games into my lessons, organising activities for students to explore the Gold Coast and the surroundings."
ELDA KORO
Australian Pacific College
"I respect my students and treat them as professionals in their field. I encourage the spirit of collaboration and continuous learning and as such give them the opportunity to express their opinions and share their knowledge with the class."
Karissa Wortman
Miami State High School
"I became a teacher because I had such incredible teachers myself. They made you feel seen and heard, made you chase curiosity and explore. They stood out to me and I wanted to be that person for someone else."
MANDY BLUNDELL
Aurora Training Institute
"Not everyone comes equipped with the skills to do well in life. I give them the opportunity to be better people by coaching and mentoring them to be more successful people."
Fei Yu
Charlton Brown
"When I was a little girl and I always like to ask children in the neighbourhood come to my house to pretend as students and I pretended to be a teacher. I had a big black board at home. I believe children are foundation of the country. So, I think it would be important to be an early childhood teacher."
Janelle Hurley
Miami State High School
"I enjoy seeing the pride the students have in themselves when they get success in something. I also love hearing students tell me they feel good/they like being in my classroom with me."
Julie-Anne Grant
Miami State High School
"Teaching gave me the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of things I loved including learning. This profession is ever-changing. There is always something new which keeps it exciting and challenging."
Jade Sawyer
Trinity Lutheran College
"Authentic relationships, relevant learning opportunities and student choice are the key ‘teacher tools’ for me. I get to work with amazing human beings at an important formative (and sometimes difficult) time in their lives. Students want to be seen and feel valued and by fostering authentic relationships, listening and showing a genuine interest in them as people set the foundation for what will be valuable interactions."
Tracy DEAN
Miami State High School
“I was certain I wanted to become a HPE teacher from when I was in grade 10. My HPE teachers were my inspiration through primary and secondary school. School was a safe place and sport was my outlet. Now I enjoy connecting with students to then develop high standards of work that they are surprised they can achieve.”
Maria F. Garcia
The Language Academy
"I am very accessible for the students and they feel comfortable to ask questions in the class. I respect deeply the students and I celebrate all their achievements, they feel in a comfortable environment, that is essential in a foreign language class."
Laura Kistemaker
Miami State High School
"I had an Exercise Science degree and had previously worked in a school organising sport. It got to a stage that I wanted to be able to share my knowledge on sports and the how body worked with young people. I really enjoyed the school environment so went back to uni to study to become a teacher."
Jocelyn Moore-Carter
Trinity Lutheran College
"Any time I hear of a student’s success in their chosen career I am proud. As a Drama teacher who works with students in classroom and co-curricular Drama, I am always excited when I hear one of my students has been employed in professional work in the industry, film or theatre, here or overseas. But I am equally as proud when I hear other students have gained work in social justice – with an NGO or company supporting vulnerable people."
Paul Barber
Miami State High School
"In terms of teaching, having a view to developing students as ‘future producers of science’, is my driver. There is no long story – just a classroom culture that gets students to act as scientists and interact with real science as often as possible to understand and become well-versed in hard and soft scientific skills as well as experiencing the wonder and awe in finding things out."