Queensland's first Master Teachers appointed

Queensland’s first Master Teachers have been appointed to improve student outcomes and teacher quality in state schools from the start of the 2015 school year.

Premier Campbell Newman and Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the highly skilled teachers would help to create a brighter future for children and their families.

“This Government has a strong plan to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of all Queensland students and the Master Teachers initiative will go a long way in helping us achieve that goal,” Mr Newman said.

“Master Teachers have been identified as a teacher who can improve academic results and have a positive influence on the entire school.

“They will be deployed to schools across Queensland, where we know they will make the greatest difference.

“This is about boosting teacher quality in order to lift student outcomes so that Queensland kids have the skills they need to get jobs.”

Mr Langbroek said 300 Master Teachers would work in 463 schools throughout the state, either in individual schools or across clusters to ensure every student is achieving.

“Teacher quality is the most important factor in a child’s education experience, which is why the Newman LNP Government is working hard to support our teachers,” Mr Langbroek said.

“We are already seeing some of our best results in literacy and numeracy, but there is more to do to improve outcomes and this program will help.

“It’s all part of our strong plan to revitalise frontline services for families so Queensland student have every opportunity for a bright future.”

Mr Langbroek said Mrs Bridget Gallagher would take up duties as a Master Teacher at Loganlea State High School from the beginning of next year.

“I am incredibly excited to have been appointed to the new Master Teacher position at Loganlea State High School which has a diverse student base,” Mrs Gallagher said.

“Long-term, whole school improvement doesn’t just begin and end with policy but with every teacher delivering high quality, challenging, engaging lessons that enable students to reach their full academic potential.

“As a Master Teacher, it will be my role to ensure that teachers’ professional learning is targeted and explicit to ensure optimal outcomes for all students, preparing them for the knowledge age and globalised world we live in today.”

Loganlea State High School Principal Ms Belinda Leavers welcomed Mrs Gallagher as a Master Teacher to the school, citing her background as a Year 6/7 teacher as being of extra assistance with the move of Year 7 to secondary next year.

“My classroom teachers and I are already committed to excellence, so we welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with a Master Teacher to further develop teaching skills and student outcomes at our school,” Ms Leavers said.

The Master Teachers have been appointed for three years and two-thirds will work with primary schools to build literacy and numeracy skills to help improve student performance earlier.

Primary schools which host a Master Teacher will receive up to $75,000 over three years to support early literacy and numeracy learning.

The Master Teachers initiative is Action 5 of the $537 million Great Teachers = Great Results direct action plan released in April 2013.

For further information on the Master Teachers initiative, including a list of schools participating, visit www.dete.qld.gov.au/great-Teachers/excellence/Master-Teachers.html  

[ENDS] 3 December 2014

Media contact:           Premier’s Office 3719 7000

Minister Langbroek – Danita Goodwin 0439 886 652

Audio available at: https://soundcloud.com/johnpaullangbroek/Master-Teachers-appointed