The Top Teachers and Educators in Australia Under 35

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The future is bright

The Educator celebrates the best young teachers across the nation, distinguishing themselves with their commitment and passion.

Discussing what being a Rising Star entails, Chris Duncan, Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA) CEO, says, “It’s the presence and confidence in the classroom, the capacity to think on their feet, strong subject knowledge acquired from a sound undergraduate degree and a passion for wanting students to learn and keep learning.”

Anne Johnstone, principal of Ravenswood School for Girls, chair of the Positive Education Schools Association (PESA) and global vice chair of IPEN, says, “Brilliant educators have a genuine and contagious enthusiasm that helps build intrinsic motivation in their students. Their dedication to teaching inspires students to discover their own passion and purpose in life.”

Jason Milner and Michaela Muller – Hills Grammar

The school, situated 30 km north-west of Sydney, has the admirable achievement of having a pair of winners on the 2024 list. However, each has carved their own path to success.

Philosophy

Milner, assistant head of junior school, is committed to enabling students to flourish, mindful that they are individuals.

He says, “I want the students to be the best version of themselves. So, as they move into whatever career they want or if they want to go to university, they have the necessary skills that we’ve provided them as a school and as teachers to ensure they can succeed. We chose education for a reason; it’s to make a difference with the little people around us, to make them feel successful and also to make them understand why becoming a lifelong learner is important.”

This is echoed by Muller, who’s role as a tech teacher allows her the flexibility to support children who respond in different ways. Her classes include cooking, woodwork, metalwork, textiles and project-based skills.

“I usually get the kids who maybe don’t belong or who get in trouble in the normal classes because they can’t sit still,” she says. “They fidget and just don’t have that passion for, maybe, history or English. They come to me, and the one thing I strive to do is make connections.”

An example of this is taking soccer-loving kids and setting them the task of designing and building their own goal posts.

Muller says, “With all my kids, I know who they are and what their passion is. I make sure my classwork relates to what they like to be involved in, then look to bring other subjects into their understanding.”

“We’re incredibly lucky and honoured to be able to work with people’s children; they entrust them to us, and we’re going to instill values and give them the skills they need. It’s so nice to be able to have that impact”

Jason MilnerHills Grammar

Specialisms

In addition, Muller is also acting head of design and innovation, incorporating sustainability into her role, after previously being the school’s leader in sustainability. She stresses how this differs from being in the classroom.

“When you teach sustainability, you teach it based on the curriculum,” she says. “It’s very different from actually implementing it in a school setting.”

The position has seen Muller:

run workshops and an expo, including the school’s version of the Earth Shot challenge

formed Project Change, a group of 30 children who meet weekly to discuss sustainability on campus and also study the vegetation and wildlife on the 50-acre grounds

organised fundraising events to fund more sustainable initiatives

installed branded return and earn recycling bins

She says, “All the money we’ve been getting from the return and earn, the kids are putting into a sustainable garden. I’m a very hands-on person, so doing this is the way that I can make change with the kids.”

Milner also has a series of responsibilities, which include:

operations (excursions and events)

student wellbeing

curriculum

A particular area of expertise is technology, as evidenced by his awards:

Master of Education in Educational Research

Google Certified Educator

Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert

Apple Distinguished Educator

Under his leadership, the Year Six children have developed a device to help farmers increase crop yield.

Milner says, “Technology is a really nice way for them to communicate effectively. I found that for the kids who don’t like to write everything out or to speak in front of a whole class, they can actually use it to enable them to share the knowledge they’ve developed.”

He also stresses that it’s not about replacing ingenuity.

“I call it looking beyond the device,” says Milner. “You’re using it as a creation tool, rather than a consumption tool.”

“As a tech teacher, my kids are the builders, the cooks and the seamstresses of the world. My whole thing is getting to see these kids achieve and be themselves; they grow and learn with me”

Michaela MullerHills Grammar

Legacy

Looking to the future, Milner already knows what he wants to impart to his students.

He says, “They need help and support, and we can do that by being almost that guiding light. It sounds very cliche, but we can be that person with whom they can safely make mistakes. We’re going to say, ‘It’s okay, buddy. You’re supposed to make mistakes at this age; we’re going to help and guide you through this.’”

Muller is keen to sacrifice any grand recognition for being there in the moments that might be small but important.

“I want to be that impactful teacher,” she says. “I don’t need it to be that I’m the most amazing and best teacher. I want it to be that in the time they needed someone, I was there, getting them to achieve something they didn’t think they would get to achieve.”

Louise Parker and Lauren Germanotta – The Lakes College

Also proudly sporting a winning duo is the North Brisbane school, who have both carved out their own routes to the top but share many priorities as educators.