Top teachers' teacher named
Dr Margaret Plunkett
A 30-year career in education and a commitment to enhancing the student experience has seen Dr Margaret Plunkett named as Australia’s Teacher Educator of the Year.
Dr Plunkett, a senior lecturer in both primary and secondary school education at Monash University’s Gippsland campus, was announced as the winner of the prestigious award during the recent Australian Teacher Educator Association’s (ATEA) annual conference held in Adelaide.
Designed to encourage and recognise innovative practices in teacher education at a university level, the award is presented to the tutor or lecturer who has been judged as having made an outstanding contribution in promoting learning, understanding and development among their students.
Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Gippsland campus, Professor Helen Bartlett, said the award reflected the lifelong commitment Dr Plunkett had shown to teacher education, especially in terms of increasing and improving the experiences of students in regional areas.
“Through her unwavering dedication and passion for education, Dr Plunkett has established herself as one of Monash University’s most recognised teacher educators,” Professor Bartlett said.
Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor John Loughran, said it was wonderful to see one of the Faculties most committed and capable teacher educators being recognised through this prestigious award.
"Margaret is a consistently strong and capable teacher educator whose concern for her students' learning shines through in everything she does. She is a role model for others and demonstrates well the skills, knowledge and ability necessary to be a leader in the field," Professor Loughran said.
Dr Plunkett said she was humbled to have won the award.
“My personal experience underpins my philosophy of attempting to draw out the best in all students, regardless of their background or circumstances, and helping future teachers respond to diversity and difference in the most positive way possible,” Dr Plunkett said.
“I aim to create an educational experience that models the approach I hope my students will ultimately take into their own classrooms.”