Future skills the key to unlocking student potential.

Part of Mackay North State High School teacher Stacey Austin’s teaching philosophy is about finding a student’s strength to help unlock their passion.

And like poet Robert Frost once coined, “I am not a teacher, but an awakener,” Stacey is one of those teachers, who opens the world of possibilities to her students.

And the winner is. Mackay North State High Scholl teacher Stacey Austin after being named Trailblazer of the year.

Last month Stacey was awarded Future Anything’s Trailblazer award.

Mackay North State Highschool is one of a few MIW regional schools who take part in Future Anything’s Activate: STEM unit, which is possible with collaboration from Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3).

Future Anything programs provide fully resourced, and curriculum aligned programs that support educators to deliver engaging learning that links to life.

Future Anything programs encourage young people to embark on their own journey of self-discovery; using entrepreneurship as a vehicle to empower young people with the knowledge, skills, support, and partnerships to develop innovative ideas that solve problems.

This year GW3 and Future Anything collaborated on a series of educator roundtables and professional development workshops for the Greater Whitsunday region’s teachers.

This series of workshops helped educators to unpack the skills required to build an entrepreneurial mindset.

The inaugural Future Anything Educator Awards shone a spotlight on the teachers who’ve not only led Activate in their classroom but who have lived it through their own entrepreneurial approach to teaching and learning.

The Trailblazer award recognised an outstanding first-year teacher of Future Anything’s Activate in-curriculum entrepreneurship program.

Nominations were received for teachers and teams in schools across Australia, from South Australia to North Queensland.

Future Anything Founder and CEO Nicole Dyson said it had been such a joy to watch Stacey work with her young people this year.

“What really struck me about Stacey is how well she knows all her students. She knows what is special about each and every one of them.”

And for Stacey that is what is all about fostering strong relationships with her students to help them achieve success.

As the Year 9 Coordinator Stacey believes encouraging growth mindsets in her students and the Future Anything modules in the school’s STEM classes helps students to be better prepared for what will be waiting for them in the workforce.  

“We all know that our students are facing a very different work/life than we ever did, and I think we need to adapt to the changes. It really is about skills. Students need skills that are going to be easily transferable through their careers and jobs.

Mackay North State High School teacher Stacey Austin accepting her award from Future Anything Founder and CEO Nicole Dyson.

“I feel like the students, are more engaged than your regular content lessons.  They always start out absolutely horrified but you guide them through the same way I would If I was teaching them maths, small steps and we build up to it. At the end you have students who accomplish the most amazing things.”

Stacey is a prime example of how adapting change can be the best foot forward, after leaving her administration job 12 years ago to pursue education.

“It is really corny.

 “I had an office job in administration, and I was really bored, and my children were two and four I was unhappy with my job -it wasn’t going anywhere.  I thought, how am I ever going to get my kids to chase their dreams if I didn’t find my own.  So, I said I am going to have a go.  It was the best thing I ever did.”

And it is her ability to bring out the best in her students, through her love of entrepreneurial learning.

Stacey said the biggest challenges with students is engagement and self-confidence.

“I have three rules in my classroom. You will do well if you:  turn up; you do what I ask; and you try your best.

She said when learning is based on a problem or something students are passionate about, they pick it up because the only pre-requisite is themselves.

“I had some real success stories of those disengaged kids who actually came up with really creative and excellent solutions, that they turned up and pitched to two strangers and our acting principal and these were girls that would hardly speak in class.

“I couldn’t be prouder. It wasn’t about the product; but how far they had come.”

As someone who is not wonderful at receiving compliments, Stacey said this acknowledgement, was a surprise, as she felt she was doing her job.

“You do what you do because you love the kids and I love the subject and receiving the award from someone like Nicole who I respect so much it was really special.

“I have been very lucky, I always be surrounded by passionate and hardworking teachers, and I have always been blessed with the support crew around me, I don’t think I am any better than them, they are just as awesome as me.

“As a teacher you always have to change and try your best, and the kids will keep you on your toes.

“I always say to the students when we have to advertise what STEM is about, I say we are going to come and save the world -look at the problems break them down and fix it.”

If your school is interested in taking part in Future Anything’s Activate program next year you can learn more by visiting:  https://futureanything.com/

Stacey Austin is a prime example of how adapting change can be the best foot forward, after leaving her administration job 12 years ago to pursue education