BOMBALA teacher Alice Shannon has won an award for going above and beyond the call of duty – and it would seem it is well deserved.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
When the Bombala Times caught up with Ms Shannon on Monday, instead of being out enjoying her holiday, she was at school preparing her classroom for the new term.
The St Joseph’s Primary School teacher has won the inaugural Member for Monaro Excellence in Education Award for 2013.
Ms Shannon has been at St Joseph’s for just two years, moving to the area when she married Bombala farmer Michael Shannon.
Before that, Alice taught at Cooma and Canberra.
Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, described the infants’ teacher as devoted and passionate.
“She is a teacher who works tirelessly to ensure that her students give their very best in everything they do,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Alice uses her creativity to make each lesson engaging, interesting and exciting for her students.
“She is caring, reaches out to students in need and approaches every day with enthusiasm, cheerfulness and the determination to make a difference at St Joseph’s.”
In its inaugural year, each school in the Monaro Electorate was given the opportunity to put forward one staff member to receive an award.
Ms Shannon said she was “very taken aback”, but honoured.
“A good teacher needs to go above and beyond the call of duty, to have a love of learning and be able to live their lives as a good example for the kids as well.
“It’s a good job, it’s fun and I get to be a big kid again myself, so that’s good.”
Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, said teachers and support staff work tirelessly to inspire a love of learning in their students, to work alongside families, and to build important connections within the community.
“It’s fitting that they are recognised,” he said.
Schools in the Monaro are encouraged to put forward nominations for this year’s awards.
She said she believed in supporting students not just inside the classroom but also out in the wider community.
“Here at Bombala the parent community is amazingly close and it’s been so easy to become a part of that community,” Ms Shannon said.
“Being a smaller school you constantly know what’s going on in the students’ lives and when you walk down the street you know all the parents. I really like that part,” she said.
When asked what makes a good teacher she said the key was dedication.