Team

Experience & Activities

After graduating from Mt Gravatt College in 1981 with primary education specialised in early childhood, she commenced her career at Currumbin Valley State School to teach in the Early Education Class.

Her long career with Department of Education has covered three main facets whilst transferring from one end of the state of Queensland to the other.

A third of her Forty-Three Years as an Early Childhood Educator valuing the difference early intervention can make to a young person’s learning outcomes and career prospects on the Gold Coast and Thursday Island. Whilst working at Musgrave Hill State School Early Education Centre she was introduced to Bette Blance and was introduced to Choice Theory through the department’s Excellence in Teaching Program which inspired her appetite to complete the Basic Intensive Course.

The second chapter as teacher, Deputy Principal and Principal of Thursday Island State School honing her knowledge and pedagogy working with First Nations students supporting English Second Language practices, cultural teachings and trajectory of opportunity post school. Leading the school offered an opportunity to bring Choice Theory to the island. Judy Hatswell generously made the trip from Sydney to Thursday Island in north Queensland, and we introduced Basic Intensive Course to staff and community.

The final chapter as Principal of Mudgeeraba Special School delivering quality learning outcomes for students from Prep to Year 12 with severe intellectual impairment and multiple impairments where she retired in 2024. She was integral in establishing one of four Special School Trade Training Centres in the state. She led the successful delivery of four Certificate Courses in line with the Registered Training Organisation to improve the recreational and employment options for all young people graduating from Mudgeeraba Special School including her own daughter.

She has invested in her own strategic leadership skills as a Principal for more than two decades and mentored colleagues to further their leadership journeys. She is a trained Instructor in Choice Theory, and the school was co-verified as the first International Quality School for a Special School in 2022. In this twenty-two-year period she connected with Bette Blance, Bob Sullo, Maggie Bolton, Susan Fleming and Rob Stones who facilities training and leadership training to invest in the school’s community.

During her career she has chaired and taken membership on a number of committees to advocate and collaborate to ensure the moral purpose of students was front and centre.

She welcomes the opportunity to be a voice on the Board from Darling Downs where she now resides.