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Joanne Thomson

Kirwan State High School
​Each student at Kirwan State High School is taught they are an agent of change.
 
With 20 per cent of the school identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, teacher Joanne Thomson has developed strong ties to local institutes and global centres to improve her ability to embed cross-cultural perspectives into her teachings.
 
Joanne uses her passion for Indigenous education, social justice and service learning to explore the curriculum and act on current global issues and problems, Deputy Principal Shannon Carter says.
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​“During her teaching career, Joanne has initiated and led many student experiences which have all had a common theme, and that is to drive her students to be the impetus for change,” Ms Carter says.
Joanne’s leadership of the school’s Indigenous program when she was Deputy Principal resulted in the school’s receiving a Queensland Reconciliation Award, a Queensland Education Showcase state finalist position and a national Dare to Lead Excellence in Education Award.
 
More recently, the Global Learning Centre praised Joanne’s work with the school’s new Global Leaders’ subject called ‘Human Technology’.
 
The subject provides an internationally focused curriculum to help increase students’ understanding of worldwide issues and how they can affect change as young global citizens.
 
Her most recent role as pedagogical coach at the school has allowed her to mentor and coach her colleagues into not only improving the teaching and learning across all disciplines but also developing social capital in all staff, Ms Carter says.
 
Joanne has also been credited with helping to revive the subject of Ancient History at the school and her expertise in the area has resulted in her being appointed as a Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority district panel member and chair and also a state panel member for the subject.
 
Executive Principal Meredith Wenta says Joanne “wholeheartedly lives and breathes” Kirwan High’s mission to provide “educational excellence for tomorrow’s citizens”.
 
“She has made invaluable contributions to our school and its community across curriculum departments, teaching and learning, student wellbeing and extra-curricular opportunities,” Ms Wenta says.

“Joanne is truly an outstanding educator who has left and will continue to leave an indelible mark on our school.”

​Congratulations Joanne on your nomination.
Queensland College of Teachers
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​Toowong Qld 4066
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  • Home
    • TEACHX AWARDS >
      • Beginning to Teach Award Nominees 2019
      • 2019 TEACHX Winners
      • 2019 TEACHX Finalists
      • 2019 TEACHX Nominees >
        • 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