2022 APATA Performing Arts Teacher of the Year – Amanda Waddell

JUDGES COMMENT:

Ms Amanda Waddell is an exceptional arts and culture teacher balancing teaching across multiple performance disciplines with health and wellbeing. A teacher who is driven by a passion for the performing arts and care for the school community as a whole. Ms Amanda Wardell has implemented programming across the arts department with consideration for diversity, overcoming challenges and has led the school’s arts and cultural journey via professional development, supported learning and a program that takes a deep dive to discover new pathways – all benefiting the student body.

Teachers are a gift to the future of performing arts where they often embody the mantra, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Head of Faculty for the Arts at Queensland’s John Paul College, Ms Amanda Waddell is that change.

A dedicated and passionate Lead Teacher Ms Waddell led a number of initiatives throughout 2021 enhancing the faculty teaching practice and student outcomes. Here at APATA we encourage increasing student perspectives of creative arts pathways and that is exactly what Ms Amanda Waddell implemented at JPC throughout 2021.

Ms Amanda Waddell Innovating Performing Arts Excellence

• Established the Performing Arts Goal for Faculty. Engaging students in not only short-term goal setting, but the long term goal setting process for creative arts pathways. Giving faculty and students a better understanding of the demands of post Year Twelve success.
• Awarded the JPC Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award by her peers.
• Created the Performing Arts ‘Safety Net’ so all students have a safe place to learn and grow within the performing arts at JPC. The ‘Safety Net’ is modelled by the staff and gives students and teachers a common language.
• Introduction of the new Creative Industries subject which includes collaborative learning in project-based subjects. The Creative Industries end of year showcase was a celebration of student collaboration across Dance, Music, Drama and Visual Arts.
• Introduction of the Certificate III in Screen and Media increasing pathways for students.
• Artistic Director of the 2021 sold-out production of ‘Chicago’.
• Mentors new staff, pre-service, and beginning teachers and current applicants undertaking National Certification for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher.
• Integral part of the Secondary School Coaching Framework developed by the Independent School Queensland Coaching Project.
• Member of the Teacher Advisory Group for Arts Education in Logan City.

Congratulations Ms Amanda Waddell!

Winner of the 2022 APATA National Award for Performing Arts Teacher of the Year.

• John Paul College, Queensland, Website: www.jpc.qld.edu.au
• Facebook: @johnpaulcollegeqld
• Instagram: @johnpaulcollegeqld

Stay tuned for Ms Amanda Waddell’s Award Presentation video coming soon.