Credit Union SA / SASTA Outstanding Contribution to the Teaching of Science Award Winners

We're excited to announce the winners of the 2020 Credit Union SA / SASTA Outstanding Contribution to the Teaching of Science Award!

Find out more from our award recipients below:

Jade Tinney, Salisbury Park Primary School

What does winning the award mean for you?

It’s an honour to be the recipient of this award which has come very unexpectedly and at a time when our world has been so chaotic. This award has highlighted what my school community has been expressing for many years and I am extremely humbled for being given the opportunity to participate in this category.

What aspects of your teaching are you most proud of?

I am very proud of the innovative Science program I run for my students which centres around student engagement, inquiry based learning and is driven by student choice. I also facilitate an environmental club which empowers our students to make active changes within our community and our future sustainability. I also believe in giving back to the education community through the various networking opportunities provided by SASTA and through my Personal Learning Communities I have established.

What advice would you give to a new science teacher?

My advice to any new teachers entering the field of Science is to be passionate, find a teaching buddy, continue to actively learn, but most importantly, have fun! Students learn more when you are having fun and learning with them, so don’t be frightened to explore and get out of your comfort zone.  

Samantha Brown, Mount Gambier High School

What does winning the award mean for you?

While I am not one for public acknowledgement it is lovely to be recognised for the work I love doing and is a passion of mine. I especially enjoy working with middle school students as this is where we can build their interest /engagement in science and hopefully have upcoming scientists in the future. But not only that, have students see science as interesting and engaging, as some do it cause they have to!

What aspects of your teaching are you most proud of?

Being able to engage students in science even if it is not a key subject area of interest. Seeing students grow and develop over the year! Being able to bring students out of their shell and engage, especially ASD students. Having students come back to tell me they are now in science careers – one student told me they have become a science teacher after having me as a teacher! Very humbling! Building teacher confidence (mentoring other science teachers – new to the profession and more long term) to try new things such as demonstrations in their own classroom. Seeing students at the other end of their schooling in Year 11/12 and how they have grown and that they still remember our science classes from year 8 and/or 9. 

What advice would you give to a new science teacher?

While it can be a daunting experience as a new teacher with all these students looking to you as the teacher, science teaching is a highly rewarding career as you can link science with the real world and get students to make connections with everyday activities and events. My advice is to be genuine, be prepared to try many things as some strategies/activities will work with some students and classes and not with others. Don’t be afraid to fail – some lessons will just click and others you will walk out going why!!!! And will go back to the drawing board. If students know you are invested in them, you will ultimately see better learning outcomes, and improved classroom dynamics as students see it as a safe, but comfortable space to learn and ask questions.

Catherine O'Halloran, Cabra Dominican College

What does winning the award mean for you?

Just being nominated made me feel proud, but to win is quite humbling. There are many great science teachers in SA and I’ve learnt a great deal from them over the years. Teaching can be a little isolating – once you’re in the classroom with your students, how do you know that what you’re doing is best practice? Winning this award has been affirming.

What aspects of your teaching are you most proud of?

Constantly questioning. Why am I teaching this in this way? Is this preparing my students for the future outside the classroom? Am I making Science relevant for my students? How am I ensuring girls (who are quite under-represented in the field of Science) can see themselves in science in the future? I am a reflective teacher who constantly tries to improve. I love it when a past student who is studying something in a STEM field tells me that I inspired them to follow this pathway.

What advice would you give to a new science teacher?

Find a mentor. Someone who will push you to step outside your comfort zone and continually improve. Don’t be afraid to try something new, and always reflect on what you are doing. What worked? What didn’t work, and why? What are the outcomes for the students you are teaching? Learn and share what you have learnt.  We teach our students the importance of continual learning, so we need to model this.