WA educators Stephanie Le Lievre and Eric Dawud win national teaching awards

The principal of a small primary school in Perth’s south-east leading improvements on teaching kids to read and a Pilbara physical education teacher boosting students’ mental health have won national recognition for their work transforming students’ lives. Serpentine Primary School principal Stephanie Le Lievre and Hedland Senior High School teacher Eric Dawud have been named among just 22 inspiring educators to win a coveted Commonwealth Bank teaching award. Awarded in partnership with national charity Schools Plus, the prize celebrates outstanding teachers who are bridging the education gap in disadvantaged areas. Ms Le Lievre is one of 12 exceptional educators from across the country honoured with a teaching fellowship for her work. Valued at $40,000, the fellowship includes $25,000 to fund a strategic school project as well as a 12-month professional development program. Initially a speech pathologist, Ms Le Lievre became a teacher in 2014 and was appointed a principal 12 months ago. “I think I’m one of many people that are trying to make an impact on education at a broader level,” she said. “Literacy and oral language is something I’m very passionate about.” Ms Le Lievre led the creation of the “Serpentine PS instructional playbook” — outlining the school’s detailed approach to how and what to teach in English and maths — shared widely and used as a model by other schools. She was one of three teachers behind the hugely-popular Facebook group Reading Science in Schools and her involvement in Serpentine’s push to embed evidence-based teaching methods has also been highlighted in research projects. Most recently, she led her school’s approach to a “knowledge-rich” curriculum in reading, in addition to explicit phonics lessons. “We’ve been one of the first schools to go head-first with that knowledge-rich curriculum for reading comprehension, which has been exciting,” she said. Mr Dawud was one of 10 early career teachers celebrated for showing leadership and innovation in their first five years in the profession. The 25-year-old will receive a $10,000 scholarship, a study tour to high performing schools and $5000 for professional development. As part of a focus on improving student wellbeing in the isolated regional town of Port Hedland, Mr Dawud expanded the school’s house system, introduced a personal fitness elective subject and helped create a fitness studio. “I wanted to make sure every student is getting the same opportunities as in our Perth schools,” Mr Dawud said of his decision to head north. “It’s the best decision I’ve ever made and I don’t look back — it’s so rewarding.” Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said it was the highlight of his year to see some the country’s greatest teachers being recognised for “the incredible work they do in changing children’s lives every day”. Schools Plus chief executive officer Sherrill Nixon said the charity aimed to ensure every child had the right to the same opportunities so they could thrive at school. “This year’s award winners have redefined what it means to lead in education, setting a new standard in learning and improving children’s wellbeing in urban, rural, regional and remote communities and with First Nations children across the country,” she said.