A special lot, teachers

ITHINK the other kids in the class received as much of a kick out of it as I did. Maybe more. But being taught by Mr Steele (aka Dad) was pretty cool. Dad was a manual arts teacher for more than 35 years, mentoring and nurturing at schools from Cairns to Imbil, outside of Gympie. It was great growing up listening to all of my parents’ adventures as they bumped around towns, mainly because my family’s lives were woven into the stories they shared. As young newlyweds they set off from Far North Queensland for Imbil for Dad’s first posting where he essentially had to set up the school’s first manual arts centre. It was the start of a long career that was both rewarding and challenging but through it all it was always about the kids. It was a wonderful thing for Dad to be able to teach his own children among the thousands who passed through his door.

But some kids’ names and stories popped up more than others.

Everyone remembers their teachers — it’s why our education system and those in it are so important. They’re such a big part of our lives. While we remember valuable lessons or even a stern word, we tend to forget there’s a person on the other side of the experience.

Dad, and of course my mother, has taught me a lot out of the classroom, but he also taught me a lot inside it. I was pretty handy with a T-square and a beautiful new pencil sharpened to within an inch of its life.

Dad was old school and I’m not talking about actor Will Ferrell as Frank the Tank in that hilarious American college movie. He was firm, no doubt about it. But he liked to mentor, painting a picture if he thought he could help a troubled kid, a talented student or one that just couldn’t believe in their own potential.

That kind of teaching takes effort, time and dare I say commitment and a lot of heart and soul. There are many teach- ers out there like that and for them they don’t forget the kids who walk out their door when the bell rings for the last time.

The wanted to raise our chalk to the region’s top teachers so we asked readers at cairnspost.com.au to nominate who they thought should be recognised. More than 60 teachers were nominated before being short-listed. About 1000 votes were received and Bentley Park College teacher Jaimee-Lee Penman was named our Top Teacher.

When reporter Danaella Wivell went to interview Ms Penman and deliver a bouquet of flowers and a giant hamper full of goodies the dance teacher burst in to tears. Later in my correspondence with her it was as you would expect of a top teacher — her comments were all about the other worthy teachers, passion and praise for her “incredible little human beings”.

For all the students who farewelled school yesterday, enjoy your celebrations but spare a thought for all the top teachers who have helped you on your way.

They don’t forget you.