St Thomas Aquinas Teaching Schools Institute

Experienced based teacher education

Teaching Matters Summit

Register now

Work with us

Learn more

St Thomas Aquinas Teaching Schools Institute

Experienced based teacher education

Teaching Matters Summit

Register now
1
/
4

Early career teacher wins national award for leadership

 

Prep_teacher_Rebecca_Johnson_from_John_Paul_II_Catholic_School_in_Rokeby.jpg

Photo caption: Prep teacher Rebecca Johnson from John Paul II Catholic School in Rokeby, received an Early Career Teacher Award in the 2024 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards, presented by Schools Plus.

With the right “support, guidance and encouragement”, Rebecca Johnson has come to thrive as an early career teacher and win a national award.

Miss Johnson received an Early Career Teacher Award at the 2024 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards, presented by Schools Plus – in a ceremony held at Parliament House in Canberra on 9 September.

The Prep teacher was thrilled to have received this award, which is for teachers who have demonstrated remarkable leadership and innovation during the first five years of their career.

Since graduating from the University of Tasmania in 2022 with a Bachelor of Education (Primary), Miss Johnson is now in her second year of teaching at John Paul II Catholic School in Rokeby.

 

Prep_teacher_Rebecca_Johnson_from_John_Paul_II_Catholic_School_in_Rokeby_with_students_from_left_Evan_Hickey_Khiet_An_Mel_Nguyen_Ivy_Wignall_Grace_Foster_and_Aaviraj_Adhikari.jpg

Photo caption: Prep teacher Rebecca Johnson from John Paul II Catholic School in Rokeby, with students (from left) Evan Hickey, Khiet An (Mel) Nguyen, Ivy Wignall, Grace Foster and Aaviraj Adhikari.

“I really enjoy Prep because that is where many learn to read and write for the first time. We get to see leaps in their learning over quite a short period in their lives,” she said.

“Literacy is the foundation of education. When we get that right in Prep, this sets up the kids for future success.”

Central to the school’s literacy approach has been the utilisation of the Science of Learning pedagogy, which breaks down learning into sequential tasks that are taught through repetition.

“I really enjoy our school’s commitment to the Science of Learning. We all share the vision of improving outcomes by using evidence-based strategies,” Miss Johnson said.

 

John_Paul_II_Catholic_School_Prep_teacher_Rebecca_Johnson_centre_with_Toni_Hatten_Roberts_of_Mastery_Builders_Australia_and_CET_Deputy_Executive_Director_of_Schools_Matt_Jones.jpg

Photo caption: John Paul II Catholic School Prep teacher Rebecca Johnson (centre) with Toni Hatten-Roberts of Mastery Builders Australia (left) and CET Deputy Executive Director of Schools Matt Jones.

The ongoing mentorship provided by John Paul II Catholic School and Catholic Education Tasmania has been crucial to Miss Johnson’s success in teaching.

“I enjoy working alongside very knowledgeable colleagues, who share their experiences and advice on how to navigate everyday challenges – a lot of which you don’t learn at university,” she said.

As part of the award, Miss Johnson has received a $10,000 scholarship. This will fund a study tour to high performing schools in Australia, participation in an exclusive program about leadership, learning and mentoring, and $5000 for professional development of her choice. 

“I’m very new to teaching and I know that I still have a lot to learn. I feel that this award will help me to build on my knowledge and skills, and I would like to be able to share that to help other new teachers,” Miss Johnson said. 

Careers

Acknowledgement of Country

Catholic Education Tasmania acknowledges and deeply respects the Palawa people, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community, and all Elders past and present.

We are committed to learning alongside our students and community in this place, lutruwita, and support the continued sharing of knowledge and Culture.