All Hallows’ School Celebrates Karen Lewis as a 2024 Recipient of the Professor Betty Watts OBE Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching
All Hallows' School proudly announces that Karen Lewis has been selected as a 2024 recipient of the prestigious Professor Betty Watts OBE Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching. This recognition highlights Karen’s exceptional dedication and innovative contributions to student learning, her colleagues, and the global teaching community.
For 18 years, Karen Lewis has served in various roles at All Hallows’ School, including English and Literature teacher, Curriculum Leader, Early Career Teacher Mentor Project Leader and member of the Professional Practice Team. Her commitment to enhancing teaching methods and student learning has left an indelible mark on the school community.
Karen’s impact extends beyond her own classroom through her roles as Research Advisor for the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools’ Global Action Research Collaborative (GARC) and as Project Leader of All Hallows’ Early Career Mentor Program. Selected in 2019 for the GARC global research project, Karen’s research focused on “Feedback to Move Forward, Thrive, and Grow,” significantly improving feedback practices, particularly for adolescent girls. Her findings emphasise the importance of personalised, conversational feedback and genuine mentorship, leading to a transformative shift in feedback practices within the All Hallows’ School English department.
As the Project Leader of the Early Career Mentor Program, Karen has been instrumental in nurturing new educators. She established the program in 2023, mentoring beginning teachers, connecting early career teachers with seasoned mentors, and providing a robust framework for professional development.
All Hallows’ School Principal, Catherine O’Kane, expressed her congratulations, stating, “Karen exemplifies the highest standards of teaching excellence. Her innovative feedback practices and dedication to fostering a supportive learning environment have profoundly impacted our students and staff. Karen’s role as a Research Advisor for GARC and her leadership in the Early Career Mentor Program highlight her unwavering commitment to the global teaching community. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and her positive influence locally and globally.”
Karen’s contributions also include leading the school’s collaboration with the University of Newcastle’s professional development program and presenting at conferences, such as the Asia Pacific Summit on Girls’ Education, the Australasian Mercy Secondary Schools Association Conference, and the International Coalition of Girls Schools’ Global Forum in the USA.
The Queensland College of Teachers TeachX Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of Queensland teachers, recognising excellence across various categories. The Professor Betty Watts OBE Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching is among the highest honours, signifying exceptional dedication and impact.
All Hallows’ School congratulates Karen Lewis on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates her outstanding contributions to the teaching profession.
To learn more about the TeachX Awards Recipients, TEACHX 2024 Shortlist (qct.edu.au)