Smart Classrooms Teacher Award winners announced

Twelve Queensland teachers have been recognised for their excellence in teaching and learning using ICT by being named winners of the Smart Classrooms Teacher Awards 2009.

The winning teachers were presented their awards by the Minister of Education and Training Geoff Wilson during a ceremony at the Brisbane Powerhouse on Monday, 7 September.

This year’s Smart Classrooms Teacher Awards winners are:

• John Carozza, Queensland Academy for Creative Industries
• Julianne Cervellin, Hermit Park State School
• Andrew Collis, Jimboomba State School
• Tina Haylock, Gympie West State School
• Stephanie Hendy, Cleveland District State High School
• Judy Gardiner, Karalee State School
• Jonathan Nalder, Tullawong State School
• Shane Roberts, Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School
• Alison Rodgers, Proserpine State High School
• Karen Swift, James Nash State High School
• Gayle Thomas, Royal Children’s Hospital School
• Robyn Utschink, Mitchell State School.

The TAFE Queensland Excellence in ICT Teaching Award was also presented at the ceremony and the winner was Debra Osborne of Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE.

Each award recipient will receive $5000 in prize money, funded by industry, to attend conferences or courses that extend their understanding and practices in ICT in education, undertaking research projects or studies.

Education Queensland’s eLearning director Laurie Campbell says this year’s Smart Classrooms applications clearly demonstrated that teachers are becoming increasingly innovative using ICT with students.

‘It’s important for me to congratulate not only the award winners – but all teachers who were nominated and passionate enough about their profession to submit such high quality applications,’ says Mr Campbell.

‘The award-winning teachers use a range of ICT in their classrooms on a daily basis, including virtual classrooms, animations, podcasts, digital magazines, online forums, robotics, blogs and other collaborative online tools.

‘These opportunities provide students with the opportunities to connect and communicate with their peers and experts who can enhance their learning.’

Founded in 2002, the Smart Classrooms Teacher Awards aim to recognise teachers who have demonstrated innovation and excellence in their teaching and learning using ICT.

The Queensland Government is a recognised world leader in digital education by helping teachers integrate technology into the curriculum and giving them improved access to eLearning tools and resources,’ says Mr Campbell.

We are committed to the professional development of its workforce to ensure our teachers have the technology, the skills and the knowledge to best teach our digital generation of students.’