Established in late 2018 ​to support engagement with teachers new to the profession, QBECT is a professional forum for discussion about how the QCT can better support teachers in the early stages of their career. Thirteen teachers were selected from diverse schools across the sectors and regions of Queensland.
​​Meet Steven, Tanielle, Bridget, Alexandra and Rebecca, and learn about how they are contributing to the profession they are so proud to be a part of.
Other members of the group include: Frederick Reid, Caitlin Ross, Emma Oakey, Veronica Treasure and Samantha Gleeson.

Steven Gill, Hillcrest Christian College

Steven Gill has been teaching Mathematics C and Physics at Hillcrest Christian College since he began teaching in 2016, and while he is recognised for his excellence in teaching practice in these traditionally challenging subject areas, Steven is equally passionate about the pastoral care and support of his students. Steven is Assistant House Coordinator, and in this role he is responsible for managing pastoral care needs, house events and assemblies. Moreover, he makes every effort to develop and foster strong relationships with students. For instance, Steven has initiated and continues to run lunchtime discussions for Year 12 boys, where he supports them to work through the challenges of transitioning beyond school. Steven is proud of his profession and the is committed to helping the community understand the critical impact that teachers have on students’ lives.
"My encouragement for anyone thinking about joining the profession would be to not think about the potential challenges of teaching. But to think about your personal passions and the reward that comes from sharing those with young people and inspiring them to be the best versions of themselves they can be.
Teaching is genuinely the most rewarding experience in my life. Not only do teachers have the opportunity to deliver curriculum, knowledge and skills, they have the ability to develop the talents and passions of young people."

Tanielle Hartwig, St Laurence's College

 As an English and Health and Physical Education teacher, at St Laurence’s College, Tanielle Hartwig committed herself to supporting her colleagues early in her career. Within the first few years of teaching, Tanielle was asked to wok as a Leader of Literacy Learning within the College’s Literacy team and has facilitated a number of in-house literacy professional development workshops. Tanielle has also worked hard to support other graduate teachers in the college by opening her classroom up to fellow graduates, and sharing her professional journey with them. Tanielle is a reflective practitioner, who is committed to supporting other teachers to realise their own professional excellence without compromising work-life balance.
"We are learners and we are teachers; we are innovators and we are collaborators. In this profession, we wear many hats and sometimes, we wear them all at the same time. This ability to juggle and master so many roles at one time is a rare skill and one that needs to be celebrated.
The people who choose teaching choose it because it enables growth, it provides challenge, and it encourages opportunity and when we celebrate the profession for what it is, it will inevitably invite others, both inside and outside of the teaching community, to appreciate the incredible, continual work of our teachers in preparing students for life in and beyond the classroom."

Bridget Mallory, Park Ridge State High School

Bridget Mallory is a Chartered Accountant turned Maths and Science Teacher at Park Ridge State High School. Her industry experience, training in the US and Germany, and ongoing work as a sessional academic have ensured that her lessons are based in real-world experience, allowing students to see the application of their learning outside the classroom. In her role at Park Ridge State High School, Bridget soon became a Numeracy Coach and member of the Positive Behaviour for Learning Team. As a career changer, Bridget is committed to encouraging others to join her profession.
"We need to recognise and celebrate teaching for the amazing profession that it is!  The media tends to depict a negative image of the teaching profession, with the bad news stories far outweighing the good.  In order to change this, we need to be our own advocates and celebrate our success.  In my own context, I take every opportunity to showcase the great work of teachers at my school both in the school, and in the wider community."

Alexandra Stewart, Mount Isa School of the Air

Alex Stewart is one of the very few teachers that get to work in a classroom that spans 307000km2. In her role at Mount Isa School of the Air, Alex ensures that students in the outback get the best possible learning opportunities, despite their isolation. She conducts home visits with farming families to support the implementation of the National Curriculum far and wide, and serves as a pivotal connection between families, school staff and the wider community.
"My work  is complex and diverse. During my time travelling to different towns and communities, I have been required to teach in a multitude of settings to a wide range of students. I have come to develop a keen interest in student wellbeing and how we as teachers and school communities can better support students in rural and remote communities. Every single student in Australia deserves an excellent education, and I am grateful that I can play a really important role in achieving this."
Her experience in this travel based role has inspired her to study a Diploma of Counselling, and she hopes these skills will help her continue to support rural families and students in the future.  Not only has Alex contributed through her role in QBECT, but this year was invited to present at the Griffith University Education Summit and supported a QCT forum on professional boundaries. 
"I am hoping I can contribute to the development of the wellbeing within the region I am based. I believe it is such a crucial element in the development of a child, as the overall wellbeing of our youth shapes the future health of the population and the health of society."

Rebecca Sullivan, Mansfield State School

For Rebecca Sullivan, who teachers Prep at Mansfield State School, working together in a professional team is critical for supporting student learning. In a short time, Rebecca has made a number of contributions to her teaching team and the wider school community. From developing digital solutions to help staff collaborate and plan together on and off-site, to co-teaching and working closely with others to develop unit plans that are responsive to a diverse range of students, Rebecca consistently seeks out avenues to improve her own and other’s practice. Rebecca is a great believer in the importance of school culture for creating a safe and supportive learning environment, and so tirelessly works to enhance the culture at her school by planning and volunteering for events such as Trivia Night, Parent Evening, P&C’s, Carols, and an Active School Travel initiative. She has also herself planned and an Under 8’s Day celebration and a Mansfield Minis Program, which is a critical avenue for families and future students to engage with Mansfield before entering Prep.
"Why do I teach? It’s the indescribable feeling of pride when students see themselves as successful. This success looks so different for every child, in every classroom, but, whether students are writing their own name, writing a science report or writing their own novel, the moment they realise they are a successful learner is undeniably the most rewarding feeling as a teacher.
We dedicate much of our time differentiating for the varying needs of every student in our classrooms, getting to know our students and their interests so we can find what motivates and engages them, and creating a safe and supportive learning environment where students feel confident to take risks and share their ideas. This all takes research, working with colleagues, and considerable planning.
In addition to this, we work closely with parents in order to develop a shared approach to their child’s education and collaborate with our students to allow for agency in their learning. It certainly takes passion and commitment to establish these approaches in our classrooms so that every student has an opportunity to succeed in their learning."

Jade Travis, Miriam Vale State School

Jade teaches Health & Physical Education and Wellbeing to students from Kindergarten to Year 10 at Miriam Vale State School, located in the Gladstone region. She also coordinates the school's student council. This year, as well as being nominated for an Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award with the QCT, Jade started a Master of Guidance Counselling and has recently been accepted into a QELi course for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders. 
"During my time teaching in a rural town I have had the opportunity to be exposed to the multiple fields involved in teaching.  Through this I have developed a keen interest in student wellbeing and the challenges that accompany this. One element of teaching that I have admired through my time in the profession is observing the variety of interests, skills and personalities that come together to make a school flourish and foster the overall development of a child." 

"I hope to contribute to this through completing my masters in guidance counselling which combined with my background in health science I am hoping I can contribute to the development of the wellbeing within the school I am based. I believe it is such a crucial element in the development of a child, as the overall wellbeing of our youth shapes the future health of the population and the health of society."