Gay Barnett has dedicated 44 years to teaching, during which time she has played a key role in the encouragement of many students to pursue careers in STEM and is often contacted by students from as far back as 1990 to thank her.

Today she is Head of Mathematics B and Mathematical Methods at Brisbane Girls Grammar, roles she took on when joining the school in 2015 after 23 years at Moreton Bay College.

“She is an exceptional professional who excels at every stage of the teaching and learning cycle – be it meticulous lesson planning, excellent copybook resource preparation, timely and thorough exam and alternative assessment preparation, speedy and accurate assessment marking or report writing,” former head of Moreton Bay College, Jan Howatson, said.

Gay’s commitment extends beyond the classroom through volunteering tutoring sessions, development of shared resources for department teachers, support of colleagues through planning documentation and exemplars for marking schemes.

Although trained as a Mathematics and English teacher, Gay has played an integral part in co-curricular programs, including coaching ball games and debating teams and coordinating tennis teams and competitions.

Gay has mentored preservice teachers, new staff entering her department and experienced teachers who’ve needed updating of their current practices.  She showed strong leadership skills in her long-term acting role of Head of Mathematics department and in an organisational role working in conjunction with the Head of Teaching and Learning. 
 
She has also taken on many additional roles, including being a member of the Brisbane East Mathematics B Panel from 1996 to 2012 and Panel Chair from 2013 to 2014. During this time, she was at the coalface of developments in Mathematics education.

Recently she has been part of the syllabus-writing team for Mathematical Methods and the Scrutiny Panel for the mock exams for this subject, and participated in earlier endorsement trials for the implementation of the new syllabus in this subject.

She is well respected by parents, staff, students and management.

“Gay is a caring person who always has the best interests of all she knows at heart.  The teaching profession and all students fortunate enough to have learnt from Gay Barnett, ought to be thankful for her 44 years of commitment and dedication to the profession,” Jan said.
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Congratulations Gay on your Queensland College of Teachers Excellence in Teaching Award nomination.