Lisa Hurst is the Assistant Principal of Diversity at Holy Spirit College across their three campuses in Manoora, Edmonton and Cooktown in Far North Queensland.
‘Teaching is an incredible gift, and I am grateful to the young people who have allowed me to realise that.’ – Lisa Hurst, Future Leaders Program, Cohort 2024
Lisa’s journey as an educator spans two decades and is marked by a deep commitment to working alongside young people.
For the past six years, Lisa has played a pivotal role at Holy Spirit College, in far North Queensland, first as a teacher and now as the Assistant Principal for Diversity across their three campuses.
Holy Spirit College serves a community of young people who often face significant barriers accessing mainstream education. Lisa describes her work as ‘trauma-informed’ and ‘trauma-transformative,’ with an aim to provide a space for young people affected by marginalisation, socio-economic barriers and undiagnosed learning disabilities.
‘Our greatest work lies in walking beside our young people,’ Lisa shares, highlighting the important of listening to the voices of young people and helping them achieve their dreams and goals.
Lisa’s motivation to teach stems from her passion for empowering students. She finds joy in building genuine connections that foster trust and self-belief.
‘The young people inspire and teach me so much about how we can walk in this world better and more purposefully,’ she reflects. This mindset is the same one that drove her to enrol in Teach For Australia’s Future Leaders Program after seeing the impact of the program on a colleague.
Throughout the program, Lisa has developed valuable skills that align with her leadership role and journey. She has found a lot of value in the coaching she receives from her Leadership Coach Ray Johnston, calling it a ‘game changer.’
The connections she has forged with other Fellows has also been instrumental, providing her with a sense of community and shared understanding.
‘It’s nice to not feel alone in our field,’ she states, highlighting the importance of collaboration in overcoming the challenges, especially as a teacher in a Regional, Rural and Remote context.
The skills Lisa has gained through the Future Leaders Program have empowered her to support her colleagues and enhance the educational experience of students across her multi-campus school.
Lisa’s journey in education is not only about her professional development but also about creating a community where young people can thrive. Her recent award recognition is a testament to her impactful work.
Lisa is one of the recipients of 2024 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Award for making education more accessible to students who experience barries to mainstream education.
‘Teaching is an incredible gift,’ she concludes, embodying the spirit of transformation she brings to her school community and wider community of educators.
Interested in the becoming a leader at your school? Learn more about the Future Leaders Program: teachforaustralia.org/our-programs/future-leaders-program
Image: Lisa Hurst (R) is congratulated on her 2024 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Award from on her award win by federal Minister for Education Jason Clare (L) during a ceremony at Parliament House.