The Cathedral College's Assistant Principal Karen Lester is passionate about creating learning opportunities for young people. 
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Principal Robert Alexander describes Karen as a supportive, caring and compassionate educator, but it's her reflective practices which make her so highly regarded by her school community. ​

Karen also currently teaches Legal Studies, and in her role as State Panel Member, worked with the Expert Writing Team in the development of the new Legal Studies syllabus. 

Taking new teachers under her wing and mentoring them from provisional registration through to full registration, Karen shares her passion and enthusiasm for student learning with beginning teachers, and takes her role as an educator very seriously. She values reflective practice and constantly models this to teaching staff. 

Karen displays her commitment to the educational development of herself and others through her thorough knowledge of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. She completed her Master of Educational Leadership program with a focus on introducing sustainable change, paving the way for the introduction of middle school at the College. 

Karen’s idea of Core Classes and Core Teachers is based on the idea of offering students continuity across their education. In a nut shell, each Core Teacher teaches their class for three different subjects, acting as a conduit for contact between parents and school as their relationships deepen. 

“Karen was instrumental in the introduction of a middle schooling concept to the Cathedral College in 2006. She was part of a working party formed to investigate options and current best practice by examining literature and visiting schools with successful middle school programs,” says Robert, “The program has been and continues to be highly successful.”

“She has a clear vision for improvement and has effectively articulated this vision, not only with her team but also across the whole school staff.”

The College’s Teaching and Learning Framework, a program which is still evolving as the basis for education at the Cathedral College, continues to be implemented by Karen.​

Congratulations Karen on your QCT Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award nomination.