Nette Clarke

Bucasia State School

In a teaching career spanning 20 years, Nette Clark has developed a strong belief that all children will realise their full potential when they feel loved by their teacher and safe and happy at school.
 
With a strong understanding of the fact that each child is unique, the Bucasia State School teacher tries her hardest to get to know each child’s likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses so she can champion each and every one of them.
 
Nette cites one of her earliest jobs in Cloncurry, a small town in far-western Queensland, as a pivotal moment in developing her into the teacher she is today.
 
“I grew up in a small country town so teaching in this kind of community made me feel like I was at home,” Nette said.

“From my teaching experiences in Cloncurry, I really learnt that children will blossom and excel when you believe in them, love them for who they are, and cater to and build on their individual needs,” she said. 

Nette says that a good teacher will build on their students’ weaknesses and value and extend their strengths.
 
Last year, Nette was involved in a Bucasia State School project that saw her adjust the curriculum to better suit young learners, which confirmed her belief that young children need more agency in their learning.
 
A valuable member of Bucasia State School’s teaching team, Nette regularly assists with moderation activities both within the school and for the broader cluster, using her wealth of experience to ensure teacher judgements are consistent.
 
“Nette has an excellent relationship with staff, parents, and the wider community,” supervisor Rebekkah Pollard said.
 
“She engages professionally within our school context and external teacher networks, and is held in high regard,” she said.
 
Now in her eleventh year at Bucasia State School, Nette has established herself as the ‘go-to’ teacher for her colleagues. She takes great pride in providing guidance and advice to other members of the teaching team and regularly opens her classroom to give her colleagues a chance to observe her in action.
 
A firm believer in ongoing self-development, Nette is always open to evaluating her teaching practices and learning new things so that she can provide her classes with the best learning opportunities possible.
 
Congratulations Nette on your nomination.
 
By Claudia Farhart.