Ines Cagnola
Dimbulah State School
An inspiring Atherton Tablelands teacher who works tirelessly to provide her students with opportunities has been nominated for a state award.
Dimbulah State School teacher Ines Cagnola’s dedication to the well-being of colleagues and students, and her efforts to ensure pupils don’t miss out on opportunities sometimes unavailable in rural areas, are just some of the reasons she has been nominated for a Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award.
The Head of Department, whose role is similar to that of a Deputy Principal in a larger school, says teaching has become harder since she started about 30 years ago, and students are also under more pressure.
“Building a rapport with students is very important. We need to take time to listen to what they have to say,” she says.
“What I enjoy the most is the one-on-one time with troubled students … just having a conversation and touching base and wanting to know where and how I can help them.”
Her level of care – she has been called the “School’s Mum” – also extends to colleagues.
“I do say to teachers if you feel that you’re having a bad day – by an 11-week term you’re pretty tired and some teachers do take on more than others – I say, just let me know and I’ll take some of your classes,” she says, adding her principal and head of curriculum also did this.
Numerous staff say she is always thinking of others above herself, and it’s evident in the amount of roles she has undertaken.
Ines organises work experience – including going to the effort of securing students placements in Sydney, on the Great Barrier Reef and mustering on cattle stations – camps, excursions, staff leadership days, student transition days, Arts Council events, etiquette training, local competitions, university activities and visits from sporting ambassadors.
“Small schools are still good schools to be at,” she says. “Even though they may not have the opportunity of the opera or of the arts you can always try to get a grant or a funding to try and supply these opportunities for students.”
Despite all this, she questions being singled out. “Everyone works so hard. This (nomination) should be shared with so many other teachers who I see do so much work,” Ines says.
Dimbulah State School teacher Ines Cagnola’s dedication to the well-being of colleagues and students, and her efforts to ensure pupils don’t miss out on opportunities sometimes unavailable in rural areas, are just some of the reasons she has been nominated for a Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award.
The Head of Department, whose role is similar to that of a Deputy Principal in a larger school, says teaching has become harder since she started about 30 years ago, and students are also under more pressure.
“Building a rapport with students is very important. We need to take time to listen to what they have to say,” she says.
“What I enjoy the most is the one-on-one time with troubled students … just having a conversation and touching base and wanting to know where and how I can help them.”
Her level of care – she has been called the “School’s Mum” – also extends to colleagues.
“I do say to teachers if you feel that you’re having a bad day – by an 11-week term you’re pretty tired and some teachers do take on more than others – I say, just let me know and I’ll take some of your classes,” she says, adding her principal and head of curriculum also did this.
Numerous staff say she is always thinking of others above herself, and it’s evident in the amount of roles she has undertaken.
Ines organises work experience – including going to the effort of securing students placements in Sydney, on the Great Barrier Reef and mustering on cattle stations – camps, excursions, staff leadership days, student transition days, Arts Council events, etiquette training, local competitions, university activities and visits from sporting ambassadors.
“Small schools are still good schools to be at,” she says. “Even though they may not have the opportunity of the opera or of the arts you can always try to get a grant or a funding to try and supply these opportunities for students.”
Despite all this, she questions being singled out. “Everyone works so hard. This (nomination) should be shared with so many other teachers who I see do so much work,” Ines says.