Page 11 - Inspire Magazine

WA Beginning Teacher
of the Year finalists
(1) Anita Piccioni, Canning
Vale College
(2) Steven New, Roebourne
District High School
(3) Sharna Dallywater,
Bunbury Senior High
School

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This accolade comes as no a surprise to
principal Lee Musumeci who believes Mark’s
impact in the school over the last three years
has been nothing short of remarkable.
She highlights his work in introducing a
new program to the school, Talk for Writing, 3
which uses exciting visual and practical
methods to teach children how to write.
“Talk for Writing helped improve our
Year 3 NAPLAN results in 2015, with 84 per “Once the children know the text, I then
cent of students achieving above the national teach them the structure of a story and we
minimum standard,” Lee says. “Mark’s work brainstorm different ways to start a story.
on this program has been extraordinary for a They then go off and write their own.
beginning teacher.” “We’ve had parents come in and see their
Initially struggling to find a fun and children writing and wonder if it’s the same
engaging way to teach writing, Mark says he children. They’re blown away and that’s great.”
had a ‘light bulb moment’ when he found the Mark doesn’t take this positive feedback Edith Cowan University
Talk for Writing course. as a reason to slow down; he blames his (ECU) congratulates all
“I walked away thinking now I know background in competitive sport for why he’s finalists who have made
exactly how to teach writing!” Mark says. always looking to improve. a significant contribution
It certainly helps that the program fits “I love learning and I’m always looking to the teaching profession
with Mark’s personality as it’s a hands on to do better, and I think that rubs off on the and to the students
and exciting way of teaching. students,” Mark says. who they teach. We are
He says his peers would describe him “It’ll be great if in 10 or 15 years I see delighted to sponsor the
as enthusiastic, loud, funny and passionate. my students go on to complete secondary WA Beginning Teacher of
And they would be right. school and university. My mission is to provide the Year category and firmly
believe in supporting and
“When I started teaching my students excellent teaching so my students can achieve nurturing new talent in the
The Three Little Pigs, we didn’t just sit down skills that are really going to benefit them classroom. ECU has been
and learn it. I kicked it off with a ‘hook’,” he throughout their lives.” at the forefront of teacher
says smiling. “We played games with it, we did education for over 100 years
it in silly voices, we acted it out and did some and has a great reputation
drama. We even pretended to interview the for the quality
pigs and the wolf, so it’s quite immersive. of its graduates.

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