Bucasia State School Support Teacher Literacy and Numeracy Nicole Peltonen continues, after 20 years in the profession, to grow her own capacity to teach and those of her students to learn.

This year, for example, she has undertaken professional learning around verbs of cognition to utilise and extend students’ reading abilities.

She has both conducted and led case studies that have addressed students’ learning needs and measured their growth. Content, relationships and pedagogy were addressed as well in these case studies, which are viewable for all school staff to help in their own teaching.

Principal Belinda Eckford notes that students are keen to participate in Nicole’s lessons. “She takes the time to plan engaging lessons, delivers them with enthusiasm and is able to target individual learning needs. She works clearly within the framework of meeting students’ needs,” Belinda says.

Nicole’s approach is to form good relationships, with both students and her fellow staff members.

Nicole researches and models the teaching of reading in the school. She also leads planning days where she provides professional development sessions for her colleagues, with a focus on ensuring they are meeting the needs of the students.

Good at curriculum planning and delivering effective pedagogy, she also supports staff to try out new approaches.

She has good relationships within the community of parents too.

Nicole is engaged in professional development in leadership and change management.
​
Congratulations Nicole on your nomination.