Bonnie Gibson’s “exceptional commitment” to become the best music teacher she can be, her engaging lessons and her significant contribution to the Chinchilla community through her musical participation, are just some of the reasons she has been nominated for a QCT Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award.

The Year 6 Chinchilla Christian College (CCC) teacher, who is also a member of the Chinchilla Concert Band, the Chinchilla Strings, South Burnett Community Orchestra and Chinchilla Baptist Church, accepted the challenge to teach music to Years 1 to 6 students this year and is excelling in the role.

In the first five months of the year she undertook 18 days of music-related professional development and has been praised for not only drawing on the expertise of others, but also implementing it in the classroom.

CCC Music Coordinator Matthew Owen says Bonnie plans and teaches in a way that is hands-on, evidenced-based and engaging, and that she works hard to incorporate what she learns in professional development into her lessons.

“In doing so, she ensures that students are constantly exposed to best practice and are given the greatest chance of success,” Matthew says.

“In her two years at Chinchilla Christian College she has become a highly-valued member of our staff team, demonstrating both leadership and support of staff and students in the development of our latest school musical and our school choir,”’ he says.

“This has brought her into regular contact with parents who hold her in high regard, both as a professional and as a person.”

Matthew says one example of Bonnie’s engaging approach was when she brought in solid silver coins made to the true weight and value, as opposed to the token value of modern currency, to help her students better learn the concept of money.

Bonnie told the QCT, “While there is so much I enjoy about school teaching, I know that it’s something I could never do on my own.”

​“I found it very challenging, and so I would pray that God would provide me with the necessary strength if he wanted me to succeed," she said. "Now when I look back on some of the highlights of the last few years, the students I have come to know and the amazing learning experiences I’ve shared with them, I thank God for his faithfulness.”

Congratulations Bonnie on your nomination for a QCT Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award.