Mrs Grace Want

Rising Star 2020

The Educator magazine annually recognises “emerging leaders in education who are making waves in the early stages of their career”. From the many nominations received, only three Queensland teachers were shortlisted for this nation-wide recognition, and Canterbury’s Year 1 teacher Mrs Grace Want was chosen.

Grace has been a teacher for four years, three of those at Canterbury. Mr Bill Garland, Head of Junior School, submitted the Rising Star nomination for Grace as he believes she is an outstanding young teaching professional who has a great educational leadership future ahead of her.

“Grace is always willing to try new things and innovatively uses technology to support student learning.” Mr Garland said.

“What has been most impressive is that Grace has taken an active role in helping our Junior School team move to our online learning model as we adjust our teaching and learning processes to adapt to the current Coronavirus situation. Grace has led staff in the use of some of our online learning tools, expertly showing staff how to use the different resources. She presents enthusiastically, shares creative ways of implementing new things into the classroom and is willing to find out more about topics.”

Grace has also taken on the role of mentoring two new colleagues this year, is a member of the Junior School Science Professional Learning Team (PLT), where she has been developing Science curriculum, running some pop-up parent information sessions and doing an audit of science equipment.

Grace says that just being nominated was such a thrill, let alone winning the award.

“It is a reflection of the hard work and hurdles I have crossed to become the teacher I am today.” Grace said.