Dr Lyn Nothdurft

St Patrick's College Gympie

Dr Lyn Nothdurft, or as she is affectionately known to her students, ‘The Doc,’ has devoted nearly five decades of her life to educating the children of Kingaroy and Gympie.

Her exceptional dedication over 47 years to students and the teaching profession has seen Dr Nothdurft win the Brisbane Catholic Education Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning Award for 2017.

Now, she is also a finalist in the 2017 Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award. The winners of the statewide award will be announced on 27 October, when Queensland celebrates World Teachers’ Day.

In her current role as Deputy Principal at St Patrick’s College in Gympie, Dr Nothdurft has transformed the College’s learning landscape.

 “I think every student deserves to come into school each day and have someone who’s interested in them, who will welcome them, and who will make them feel valued,” she said. “Every student has a story – some of them might be living through some distressing issues, but school can be the place where they’re safe and where they can achieve.”

Despite having taken on leadership roles, Dr Nothdurft continues to teach Maths B and C and is particularly keen on enabling students to develop autonomy so that they know themselves as learners and take responsibility to learn in the most effective way.

With a Doctorate in Mathematics Education and Master’s degrees in Science Education and Theology, Dr Nothdurft herself is a life-long learner and an exceptional role model for many generations.

Dr Nothdurft has been an active member of the Queensland Association of Mathematics Teachers since 1970, where she has presented at conferences and contributed many papers.

She has also authored a chapter of Dimensions of Learning – a comprehensive teaching and learning framework based on extensive research into effective teaching and learning – and has been a reviewer of Mathematics Education Research Group of Australia journal articles.

Students have benefited from her setting up curriculum links with the University of the Sunshine Coast and from workshops she conducts for those needing additional support.

Dr Nothdurft’s career has been spent consistently transforming the lives and futures of her students, whom she enthusiastically inspires to pursue wisdom and purpose in their education.

“Classroom teaching makes me remember why I am in education – you go in, you work with the students, and that’s invigorating and incredibly satisfying,” Dr Nothdurft said.
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“What makes me most proud is when parents who were my students bring their own children back into the school because they loved learning here so much.” 

Congratulations Lyn on winning the 2017 Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award.