Bishop Druitt College teacher wins Rising Star award

KALI Rouillon, a primary school teacher at Bishop Druitt College (BDC) Coffs Harbour, has been awarded “The Educator” Rising Stars and School Leadership Award.

The award recognises teachers aged 35 or younger working in a role related to the K–12 education sector, who have demonstrated effective leadership, innovation, and achievement in their career to date.

Ms Rouillon has shown exceptional commitment to integrating digital technology into the classroom and inspiring students to engage creatively with their learning.

“I am incredibly honoured to receive this award,” she said.

“I believe technology in education is a tool for empowerment, creativity, and connection.

“My goal has always been to inspire my students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and express themselves in diverse and creative ways.

“The results we have achieved together this year are a testament to the power of innovative thinking and the potential for technology to enhance learning experiences.”

The Educator’s Managing Editor for Special Reports Chris Sweeney said, “The calibre of nominees was inspirational and underlined how bright the future of Australian education is.

“Kali Rouillon is at the forefront of this and is a deserved winner due to her ability to lead and innovate, coupled with her determination and passion to drive education standards higher.”

One of Ms Rouillon’s most significant accomplishments was the redesign and leadership of an innovative writing program underpinned by the principles of Deep Learning.

This initiative allows students to explore critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration in new and exciting ways.

The program also included a partnership with a robotics company, where students created functional robotic models and developed persuasive advertisements to promote their designs.

This project blended digital literacy with critical writing skills and empowered students to take ownership of their learning.

Kali also worked closely with an Apple consultant to integrate apps like GarageBand into the program, teaching students to create their own jingles for their digital advertisements.

This approach fostered a multi-modal learning experience, connecting music, technology, and writing, to allow students to express their ideas creatively and with confidence.

Her students have flourished creatively, improved their digital literacy skills, and developed stronger communication abilities, ensuring they are equipped with the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

BDC Head of Primary Sarah Stokes praised Ms Rouillon’s work, emphasising how her efforts have had a transformative impact on the entire school community.

“Kali’s approach to teaching has truly set a new standard in how we think about learning at Bishop Druitt College.

“Not only has Kali inspired her students to explore new ways of thinking and communicating, but she has also worked tirelessly to share her knowledge and expertise with her colleagues.

“She embodies the essence of leadership in education.”

Ms Rouillon has shared her digital teaching practices with her peers, creating a collaborative environment where educators are empowered to embrace technology in their classrooms.

Ms Rouillon was previously School Learning Support Officer at Nana Glen Primary School and was awarded the Teachers Mutual Bank Future Teacher Scholarship Award in 2018.

By Andrea FERRARI