2013 Early Career Teacher Award
Lauren Bellman
Lauren excels in engaging and enhancing student learning through coordinating and implementing a variety of creative, well-structured and content rich lessons for Yr 7 and 9 PDHPE, Yr 9 Pass, Yr 9 Dance and VET Sports Coaching courses. She has developed project based learning programs for Gifted and Talented students at Lurnea High School to excel in their environment. Lauren’s highly developed ICT skills are embedded in her effective and innovative teaching, catering for the knowledge and skill development of a range of diverse learners. She has directed contemporary professional development through the implementation of whole staff ipad Teacher training at Lurnea High School along with coordinating and running sessions on how to use and create mark book for reporting on Sentral, the school’s reporting system.
Lauren knows her students well and has limited behaviour management issues within her classroom, where she creates a supportive environment and differentiates the curriculum to suit the needs of each individual student. Lauren demonstrated her excellence in contributing to team collaboration and developing high quality programming, resources and assessment tasks for Yr 7 & 9. She was selected as part of the VET Sports Coaching writing team and was the recipient of the regions Vet Award for Sports Coaching. Lauren has block experience as a relieving Head Teacher and 2IC, where she was responsible for meeting the individual professional learning plans of five teachers within the faculty. During this time, she led the faculty with integrity and professionalism in dealing with student, parental and assessment concerns.
Lauren also runs the Lurnea High School Dance group who compete in Rock Eisteddfod, Wakikirri and the Sydney south west Dance Festival. She creates a supportive environment and a sense of connectedness for these students. Lauren initiated the “Kurrajong Community Cup” - a backyard Rugby League workshop and round robin program run by VET Sports Coaching students with feeder primary schools. The success of this program was further featured in an article in the Big League magazine. Lauren has been the SRC coordinator for the last 3 years with responsibility for fundraising, harmony week, leadership camps, induction assemblies which involve parents and the community, plus meetings both in school and across the region. She is in the process of organising a Term 4 Breakfast Club for students from low Socio economic backgrounds. Lauren is part of a the after school Home Work Centre program, where two days a week she assists students with upcoming assessment tasks, homework or general tutoring. She has facilitated Taster lessons about high School for Yr 6 students, both in person and through a connected classroom.
Lauren is always willing to assist and trial new ideas. Her contribution to students, the faculty, the school and the community is outstanding. She is an amazing young teacher who needs to be congratulated on her extensive achievements in such a short period of time.
Lauren is a worthy recipient of the 2013 PDHPETA Early Career Teacher Award.