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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.

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  • Home
  • TEACHX AWARDS
    • 2019 TEACHX Winners
    • 2019 TEACHX Finalists
    • 2019 TEACHX Nominees >
      • Beginning to Teach Award Nominees 2019
      • OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOL COMMUNITY AWARD NOMINEES 2019
      • Excellence in Teaching Award Nominees 2019
      • Innovation in Teaching Award Nominees 2019
      • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award Nominees 2019
      • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award Nominees 2019
  • Teacher Stories
    • Teaching graduates meet tough standards
    • Rachel Downie
    • The importance of teachers
    • Marsden State High School has the answer to keeping beginning teachers in the classroom
    • Exceptional support for early career teachers in Far North Queensland
    • QBECT
    • 2018 Awards >
      • 2018 Winners
      • 2018 Finalists
      • 2018 Nominees >
        • Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award
        • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award
        • Excellence in Teaching Award
        • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award
        • Outstanding Contribution to School Community Award
    • 2017 Awards >
      • 2017 Winners
      • 2017finalists
      • 2017 nominees >
        • Excellence in Beginning to Teach
        • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning
        • Excellence in Teaching
        • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching
    • 2016 Awards >
      • Excellence in Beginning to Teach
      • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning
      • Excellence in Teaching
      • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching
    • HAT and LT >
      • Meet the Assessors
      • Ruth Graham
      • Tracey Peden
      • Helen and Dwayne
      • Carly Sopronick
      • Jessica Roberts
      • Jessica Roth
    • OAM >
      • Kathryn George, OAM
      • Keith Graham, OAM
      • Dr Judith Grimes, OAM
      • Michael Goodwin, OAM
      • Steve Parle, OAM
      • Dr Lyn Bishop, OAM
      • Dr Catherine Day, OAM
    • Taryn Gollshewsky
    • Vanuatu
    • NAIDOC >
      • NAIDOC Week 2017
      • NAIDOC Week 2016
    • QLD Day >
      • Bundaberg East State School
      • St Catherine's Catholic College
      • Mornington Island State School
      • Queensland Week 2016
    • ANZAC
  • Anxiety and trauma―an expert’s advice