Aaron Bates
Cooktown State School
Cooktown State School students are among the first in Queensland to participate in the new external assessment regime thanks to an inspiring Geography teacher who has been nominated for a prestigious state award.
In only his third year of teaching, Aaron Bates is already showing immense leadership, ensuring he and his school are at the forefront of future education changes in Queensland.
“Cooktown State School faces some challenges being so remote and in a few years’ time Year 12’s will be sitting external exams across the state,” Aaron says.
“I don’t want Cooktown students to be forgotten about; implementing the external assessment module is a great way to give feedback on what works and what doesn’t for my students.”
His self-motivation and dedication to students are among the reasons he has been nominated for a Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award.
Aaron’s drive to be at the forefront of teaching practices has also led to him being appointed to the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s District Moderation Panel for Geography.
Aaron’s commitment to his profession stems from an inspiration to help the community at a greater level. He finds immense joy in seeing the change in the children he is teaching.
He is passionate about ensuring students’ learning progression and he is also an advocate for consistency across the state of the delivery of curriculum.
“I think the external assessment will increase the fairness among the regions and endorsement will give teachers feedback on tasks before they implement them,” Aaron says.
“For early career teachers it will be easier in terms of designing assessment tasks. There’s so much more to teaching than being in front of the class.”
Aaron has a positive rapport with his students, colleagues and the wider community.
In only his third year of teaching, Aaron Bates is already showing immense leadership, ensuring he and his school are at the forefront of future education changes in Queensland.
“Cooktown State School faces some challenges being so remote and in a few years’ time Year 12’s will be sitting external exams across the state,” Aaron says.
“I don’t want Cooktown students to be forgotten about; implementing the external assessment module is a great way to give feedback on what works and what doesn’t for my students.”
His self-motivation and dedication to students are among the reasons he has been nominated for a Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award.
Aaron’s drive to be at the forefront of teaching practices has also led to him being appointed to the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s District Moderation Panel for Geography.
Aaron’s commitment to his profession stems from an inspiration to help the community at a greater level. He finds immense joy in seeing the change in the children he is teaching.
He is passionate about ensuring students’ learning progression and he is also an advocate for consistency across the state of the delivery of curriculum.
“I think the external assessment will increase the fairness among the regions and endorsement will give teachers feedback on tasks before they implement them,” Aaron says.
“For early career teachers it will be easier in terms of designing assessment tasks. There’s so much more to teaching than being in front of the class.”
Aaron has a positive rapport with his students, colleagues and the wider community.
- Story by Joshua Pickstone