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.
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“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.

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.