The Dr Roger Hunter Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award Finalist
Tarryn Berning
School: Payne Road State School
Number of years teaching: 3.5 years
Although Year 3 and 4 students in Tarryn’s multi-age class face a range of challenges including diagnosed disabilities, developmental delays and behavioural problems, her nurturing environment is high in both respect and expectations — encouraging success among her young charges and inspiring peers to adopt her teaching methods. Shorter lessons, smaller groups and a range of innovative strategies including meditation, a drama club and enriching school camps are generating academic improvements with students urged to ask hard questions, as well as find the answers.
