VOTES ARE IN: SHE’S TOPS
TEACHER NAMED FNQ FAVOURITE:
THE votes are in and Bentley Park College dance co-ordinator Jaimee-Lee Penman has been crowned the Far North’s top teacher of the year.
The 25-year-old shed a few tears as she and her colleagues celebrated the big win before class yesterday morning.
“I’m about to finish my fourth year of teaching dance, but this is my second year teaching at Bentley Park College,” she said.
“I was living in the Gold Coast and wanted a change with my partner, so we came up for a day to see Bentley Park College. As soon as we got off the plane and looked at the mountains we knew we’d move here.”
Bentley Park College head of school 7-12 Stuart Edwards said Ms Penman was an exceptional example of everything a young teacher should be.
“We feel so lucky to have Jaimee-Lee with us at Bentley Park College,” he said.
“The extra hours and genuine interest in our students is recognised by all. Jaimee-Lee brings a wonderful energy and devotion to her students and we are so proud of her.”
Ms Penman said she always knew she would have a career in dance, but it took some time before she realised it would be through teaching.
“I used to dance after school from 4.30pm to 8pm every night, it’s something that I love to do. When I was growing up I used to go over to my grandparents’ house and I had a clipboard and a whistle and I used to pretend I was on playground duty,” she said.
“In grade 10 and 11 I started looking towards my future … my mum said that this was a perfect opportunity to become a high school dance teacher.”
She offers some advice to her students who will graduate from Year 12 this week.
“Just know what you want to do and go for it, and put in the hard work to get there. You can have a little break, but then get out there and get going,” she said. “Enjoy the journey of coming into the big bad world.”