The ACT Public Education Awards recognise staff members who go above and beyond to make a real difference to the lives of students and school communities .
During November , the ACT Education Website named Peta-Gai Faulkner as ACT Primary Teacher of the Year for her work at Gungahlin Primary Introductory English Centre .
The announcement read : “ During the unprecedented events of this year , Peta-Gai brought a sense of calmness and a ' can-do ' attitude in everything she did for her Kindergarten students and their families .
What she did was phenomenal . Across weeks , leading up to online learning , Peta-Gai went to every student ’ s home to teach the families how to learn in the online space . She not only taught her students but also many of their parents for whom English is their second language .
Once the new way of learning was in place , Peta-Gai kept in close contact . Her approach was instrumental in her students thriving in such an unusual environment .
Peta-Gai is also a highly prized mentor at the school , assisting other teachers with EALD strategies to support their students .
To hear her students speak English confidently , and with such joy , is testament to her engaging them , empowering them and enhancing their lives .
Congratulations to Peta-Gai and to her rightly proud mother Robin Bennett .
St Margaret ’ s News 3 December 2020