Sharon Sheales
St Brendan's College, Yeppoon
When high school students enrol at St Brendan’s College at Yeppoon with low levels of English literacy and numeracy, or when they disengage from learning, or if they have behavioural difficulties, they find themselves in Sharon Sheales class.
Sharon’s deep care, commitment and sense of justice in ensuring her transition class students are able to access mainstream education in a way that is meaningful for them is an inspiration to those around her.
Her “unswerving determination, patience and enthusiasm”, and her dedication to her students, have seen her nominated for a Queensland College of Teachers Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award.
Sharon says she is part of “an amazing team of people – all doing extraordinary things and going to extraordinary lengths” for students at St Brendan’s.
She was inspired to come into teaching by a mentor whom she worked under as a teacher aide about twenty years ago – Jean Boulton, whom she is now working with again in her transition class.
She says she feels privileged to be teaching.
“Every day is just so diverse. I have climbed mountains – literally; I have cheered at sports days; I have collected hats like a hat rack; there are just so many elements to it, staff, students, opportunities,” Sharon says.
“What other job can you have that is both inside and outside, that is both fun and frustrating – that is rewarding?
“It’s challenging in terms of the teaching, because the majority of these boys come in with very little literacy and numeracy.”
Her teaching duties can include everything from teaching students how to tie shoes, to how to interact in some social situations, to the difference between upper and lower case letters and how to read a school timetable.
“Students are the most important, most vibrant, resilient, extraordinary people … and I get to work with tremendous teachers,” Sharon says.
Sharon’s deep care, commitment and sense of justice in ensuring her transition class students are able to access mainstream education in a way that is meaningful for them is an inspiration to those around her.
Her “unswerving determination, patience and enthusiasm”, and her dedication to her students, have seen her nominated for a Queensland College of Teachers Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award.
Sharon says she is part of “an amazing team of people – all doing extraordinary things and going to extraordinary lengths” for students at St Brendan’s.
She was inspired to come into teaching by a mentor whom she worked under as a teacher aide about twenty years ago – Jean Boulton, whom she is now working with again in her transition class.
She says she feels privileged to be teaching.
“Every day is just so diverse. I have climbed mountains – literally; I have cheered at sports days; I have collected hats like a hat rack; there are just so many elements to it, staff, students, opportunities,” Sharon says.
“What other job can you have that is both inside and outside, that is both fun and frustrating – that is rewarding?
“It’s challenging in terms of the teaching, because the majority of these boys come in with very little literacy and numeracy.”
Her teaching duties can include everything from teaching students how to tie shoes, to how to interact in some social situations, to the difference between upper and lower case letters and how to read a school timetable.
“Students are the most important, most vibrant, resilient, extraordinary people … and I get to work with tremendous teachers,” Sharon says.