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From her dedication to helping students at risk, to her guidance of potentially gifted and talented students in new directions, Helen Beasley’s teaching, leadership and compassion are widely appreciated.
Over the past three decades, Helen has been Head of Department Junior Secondary, Head of Department Middle School, Sports Coordinator, a member of the Behaviour Management Team, a Quality Improvement Plan Leader, Essential Skills for Classroom Management Instructor, Outdoor Educator, HPE Teacher, Camp Co-ordinator, Leadership Mentor and has achieved Life membership of both Queensland Secondary School Softball and Queensland School Sport. At secondary school level, Helen teaches Health and Physical Education, as well as Outdoor Education. |
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Colleague Matt Bradley says Helen also continues to play a crucial role as Pine Rivers State High School’s Head of Junior Secondary, co-leading the senior outdoor recreation program as well as maintaining a hands-on role in extra-curricular activities.
“She is always the first to volunteer with organising or helping out at school functions and events … from fund-raisers, carnivals, excursions, ski trips, overseas experiences, district, regional and state school sport and her proudest achievement; establishing a partnership for teacher training and IT resource development at the Vera Thompson English School in Myanmar,” Mr Bradley says. “Her extensive experience with children at risk– and her Graduate Diploma in Outdoor Education – help Helen connect with everyone she comes into contact with, which has changed many students’ lives for the better. “She is the most selfless person one could meet and never looks for recognition in return for what she does.” Colleague Molly Marx says, “Helen has been a key mentor throughout my years as a beginning teacher “and continues to guide me as I enter the realm of experienced teacher”.
Helen makes sure students are “not just well-educated, but well-rounded young people who understand and develop good values”, says Molly. “This starts with her work in leading the Junior Secondary Partnerships group in our area with other high schools and our local primary schools,” Molly says. “This work informs our practice in the classroom and the work that Helen is able to do with the orientation and transition process for students enrolling in Year 7. “She is a constant sounding board for staff and students alike – as she is known for her calm demeanour and problem-solving abilities.” Molly notes that Helen has ensured that the school’s junior secondary students enjoy the following, among many other things:
“Helen continues to be an advocate for students at Pine Rivers who have financial concerns and has consistently sought funding to ensure all students are able to attend critical learning experiences such as excursions, camps and training courses in order to achieve their educational outcomes,” Molly says. “The day that Helen decides to retire, I know that she will enjoy travelling the world - and the philanthropy that will no doubt accompany that - however, the public education sector will be a poorer place.” Congratulations Helen on your nomination. |