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2018 Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award finalist

Stephanie Furlong

Cairns State High School
A few months ago, Stephanie Furlong received an email from a former student who struggled with dyslexia and is now working in the media, asking if the teacher remembered her.
​
“I rarely forget any student I have ever taught,” Ms Furlong, a teacher of 45 years, said. The general manager in radio wanted to thank Ms Furlong for the difference she had made in her life more than 20 years ago – for believing in her.

The former student is just one of thousands that Ms Furlong has made an incredible difference to across north Queensland and in Indigenous communities of Cape York, over more than four decades.
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The Cairns State High School (CSHS) teacher is a finalist in the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award for 2018. The QCT Excellence in Teaching Awards are the only State Government awards which recognise teachers from all schooling sectors state-wide. Winners will be announced on October 25, on the eve of World Teachers’ Day celebrations in Australia.

Ms Furlong started her career in Bamaga in 1974 and taught in Weipa, Aurukun, Townsville, Murgon and Gympie. She set up Art departments and introduced new subject initiatives and small businesses, including community newspapers and art and craft workshops, to boost students’ and school staff members’ skills and local community knowledge.

The English, EAL/D (English as an additional language or dialect), Arts, Learning Support and Vocational Education and Training teacher said one career highlight was developing and writing a two-year correspondence program for Cape York Indigenous teacher aides, who are a vital cultural and language link for new teachers in communities. The course enabled the teacher aides to participate as paraprofessionals and be recognised for the vital contribution they made to education.

“Some were teacher aides by default — some hadn’t even gone past Year 4, so it offered them opportunities on a personal and a professional level. We collected and recorded information and profile stories, and we published a handbook for teachers, a school community calendar, and information on local foods,” she said.

Ms Furlong’s impact on Cape York Indigenous communities was so great she was given a language name by Wik Elder, Awumpun (Jean George). ‘Anambri’, which means ‘belonging to this place,’ is a name she carries with both pride and honour.

In Cairns she has served as a READ School Support Centre curriculum writer, resource designer and illustrator for seven years and has assisted in the development and management of the Young Indigenous Achievers’ Camps at CSHS, for several years. She has also revelled in teaching students who aren’t on the traditional education path or who learn differently. Ms Furlong has also been an active voice and curriculum writer for two decades in the VET sector at her school. She is known for constantly reinventing herself to teach different subjects, challenging and updating her skills and knowledge.  

“To me teaching — if you’re real and passionate about the job of interacting positively with students and connecting with them, it is a gift that keeps on giving,” Ms Furlong said.
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“Every student is a unique individual and it is up to you as the teacher, to use your key — your personal and professional key — to unlock their full potential to achieve excellence.”

Congratulations Ms Furlong on being named a finalist. 

Queensland College of Teachers
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​Toowong Qld 4066
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  • Home
    • TEACHX AWARDS >
      • Beginning to Teach Award Nominees 2019
      • 2019 TEACHX Winners
      • 2019 TEACHX Finalists
      • 2019 TEACHX Nominees >
        • OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOL COMMUNITY AWARD NOMINEES 2019
        • Excellence in Teaching Award Nominees 2019
        • Innovation in Teaching Award Nominees 2019
        • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award Nominees 2019
        • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award Nominees 2019
  • Teacher Stories
    • Teaching graduates meet tough standards
    • Rachel Downie
    • The importance of teachers
    • Marsden State High School has the answer to keeping beginning teachers in the classroom
    • Exceptional support for early career teachers in Far North Queensland
    • QBECT
    • 2018 Awards >
      • 2018 Winners
      • 2018 Finalists
      • 2018 Nominees >
        • Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award
        • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award
        • Excellence in Teaching Award
        • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award
        • Outstanding Contribution to School Community Award
    • 2017 Awards >
      • 2017 Winners
      • 2017finalists
      • 2017 nominees >
        • Excellence in Beginning to Teach
        • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning
        • Excellence in Teaching
        • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching
    • 2016 Awards >
      • Excellence in Beginning to Teach
      • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning
      • Excellence in Teaching
      • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching
    • HAT and LT >
      • Meet the Assessors
      • Ruth Graham
      • Tracey Peden
      • Helen and Dwayne
      • Carly Sopronick
      • Jessica Roberts
      • Jessica Roth
    • OAM >
      • Kathryn George, OAM
      • Keith Graham, OAM
      • Dr Judith Grimes, OAM
      • Michael Goodwin, OAM
      • Steve Parle, OAM
      • Dr Lyn Bishop, OAM
      • Dr Catherine Day, OAM
    • Taryn Gollshewsky
    • Vanuatu
    • NAIDOC >
      • NAIDOC Week 2017
      • NAIDOC Week 2016
    • QLD Day >
      • Bundaberg East State School
      • St Catherine's Catholic College
      • Mornington Island State School
      • Queensland Week 2016
    • ANZAC
  • Claire Cummins
  • Anxiety and trauma―an expert’s advice