A south-eastern suburbs teacher who dazzles his students with unicycles, magic tricks and complex algebra has been named among Western Australia’s best in the State’s top awards for education.
Wattle Grove Primary School’s Carl Sanderson was named WA Premier’s Primary Teacher of the Year in the 10th WA Education Awards for his innovative approach to inspiring students.
For the past five years, Mr Sanderson has taught a combined class of the brightest 10 students from Years 4, 5 and 6 at the school.
With more than 29 years’ experience, he is skilled in challenging students to question and inquire – demanding high standards while also having fun and fostering resilience.
He teaches students circus skills – riding unicycles, juggling and spinning plates – as a way to develop their co-ordination, cross-brain switching abilities and social skills.
Merredin College’s Jeanette Hayden took out the accolade for WA Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer of the Year for her 15-year commitment to supporting local Aboriginal students to make the most of their schooling.
Mrs Hayden welcomes every Aboriginal student and their family to the college when they first enrol, and, once there, she looks out for students every day, creating the conditions for them to thrive at school.
She organises to take students to and from school, talks with families if their children are absent and ensures that students have uniforms to wear and food to eat at school.
Alongside this, Mrs Hayden teaches Noongar and has introduced professional learning for her colleagues to provide extra support for Aboriginal students.
For more information, visit the awards website.