Students in a regional Queensland special school have been inspired to join the Royal Australian Navy as cadets after hearing stories from their teacher Kathleen Heath, who served for seven years.

Ms Heath is a certified Highly Accomplished Teacher at Hervey Bay Special School, who earlier this year took out the title of 2018 University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) Fraser Coast Educator of the Year for her outstanding commitment to creating opportunities for her students.

Her portfolio was shown across the state as demonstration of a teacher’s exemplary achievement of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at a Highly Accomplished level. 

Her work in helping students to become independent adults and secure employment following graduation has seen Ms Heath named a finalist for the 2018 QCT Excellence in Teaching Award. 

The school’s award-winning tuckshop program, designed by Ms Heath, provides students with real-world skills and capabilities through vocational education and training courses in hospitality.

A student with quadriplegic cerebral palsy is able to access the tuckshop’s cooking program using advanced eye gaze technology that Ms Heath introduced.

Principal Reno Tieppo says, “Kathleen never does things by halves. She is an inspiring and exciting teacher who is always searching enthusiastically for innovative and outside-the-box ways to teach her class.” 

Congratulations Ms Heath on being named a finalist.