- Watching Movies and TV Shows
- Gym Workouts
- Baking with my own children
- Spending time with my family and friends
Karen Bell
Macquarie,Australian Capital Territory
Summary
Dynamic professional educator with over 20 years of experience, including 6 years in senior management roles, dedicated to creating engaging learning environments that drive student success. Expertise in curriculum development, classroom management, and personalised instruction ensures a tailored approach to meet diverse student needs. Recognised as a collaborative team player focused on achieving educational outcomes while adapting to evolving challenges. Renowned for reliability, effective communication skills, and an unwavering passion for fostering student growth and development.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Class Teacher
Macquarie Primary School
04.2022 - Current
- Deliver high-quality teaching and learning programs aligned with the Australian Curriculum v9, ensuring differentiation to meet diverse student needs. This includes developing Individual Learning Plans (ILPs).
- Assess, monitor, and report on student progress through formative and summative assessments; prepare detailed reports and communicate outcomes effectively to parents and caregivers.
- Built strong collaborative partnerships with families, colleagues, support staff, and allied health professionals—attending professional meetings and working together to enhance student learning, wellbeing, and holistic development.
- Foster a safe, inclusive, and engaging classroom environment that supports academic, social, and emotional development including implementing Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) and Berry Street approaches.
- Served as a Disability Education Teacher, providing tailored support and adjustments for students with additional needs in compliance with NCCD requirements.
- Participate in school events, staff meetings, and ongoing professional development to ensure best practice in pedagogy and curriculum delivery.
- School Team Teach Trainer – Led whole-staff training to promote positive behaviour support strategies, significantly improving staff confidence and competence in managing challenging behaviours and reducing major incidents across the school.
- Led team meetings and PLC meetings using the Spiral of Inquiry structure when acting in School Leader C (SLC) position.
- Using data to effectively identify and implement specific interventions for individuals and small groups of students that resulted in improved attainment levels.
- Successfully implemented inquiry-based learning strategies, improving student engagement and critical thinking skills across multiple year levels.
- Successfully organised and led a whole community arts festival that resulted in nearly $3000 being raised for school funds.
- Contributed to the school’s curriculum review, planning processes, and quality assurance procedures ensuring alignment with Australian Curriculum v9 standards.
Principal Teacher (Stage Leader)
Westquarter Primary School, Falkirk Council
01.2015 - 06.2017
- Led and supported a team of Primary Teachers, driving high-quality teaching practice and fostering a collaborative culture.
- Oversaw whole-school pastoral care, promoting positive relationships and student wellbeing.
- Managed interagency and partnership collaboration to support holistic student development.
- Ensured quality assurance across all aspects of school management, including curriculum delivery and compliance.
- IT Coordinator – Maintained and developed IT resources, managed the school website, and successfully delivered staff training for online learning.
- Provided technical support and tutorials to staff, parents, and pupils during lockdown, ensuring continuity of learning.
- Established and coordinated the Digital Leader Program, achieving Digital Schools Award accreditation.
- Secured £4,000 through Connecting Scotland Fund to purchase iPads for vulnerable families, improving digital access and equity.
- CPD Coordinator – Identified and shared relevant professional development opportunities; developed a peer-led Teacher Learning Community to enhance staff collaboration and growth.
- Designed and delivered whole-staff training programs, including online learning preparation and digital pedagogy.
Class Teacher
Westquarter Primary School, Falkirk Council
08.2005 - 01.2015
- Designed and delivered differentiated programs of work across all stages using the Scottish Curriculum, including one year as a Nurture Teacher and three years as a Nursery Teacher.
- Assessed, planned, and reported on pupil progress, ensuring high standards of learning and development.
- Adopted a nurturing, person-centred approach to support pupils and staff, embedding restorative practices within the classroom.
- Led the nursery team, achieving a “Very Good” rating during the Care Inspectorate visit.
- Coordinated and led staff working groups, successfully implementing changes to the school homework policy.
- Facilitated the Pupil Playground Committee, securing funding for new playground equipment.
- Developed targeted support systems for pupils and families with English as an additional language
Class Teacher
Bowral Public School
01.2013 - 12.2013
- Delivered Stage 3 NSW Curriculum, designing differentiated lessons and resources to support a wide range of abilities.
- Administered NAPLAN assessments and used data to inform teaching and learning strategies.
- Built strong parental engagement through regular communication and collaborative initiatives.
- Promoted global citizenship and cultural awareness, exposing students to diverse cultures and perspectives.
- Led the implementation of blogging and digital technologies across the school, enhancing digital literacy and student voice.
- Coordinated the Student Representative Council, successfully raising over $2,000 for school funds through student-led initiatives.
Education
BEd (Hons) - Primary Education
University of Edinburgh
06.2005
Higher Mathematics - undefined
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
06.2001
Higher English - undefined
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
06.2001
Higher Biology - undefined
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
06.2001
Intermediate 2 History - undefined
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
06.2001
Higher Computing - undefined
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
06.2000
Higher Physics - undefined
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
06.2000
Skills
- Effective team leadership
- Analytical skills for intervention strategies
- Disability education support
- Facilitating staff training
- Implementing inquiry-driven education
- Collaboration with community organisations
- Proficient in digital tools and technology imprementation
- Skilled in resolving conflicts
- Mentorship and guidance
- Curriculum development
Accomplishments
- Effectively led whole staff Team Teach training, resulting in a reduction in major incidents of challenging behaviours due to an increase in staff confidence and competence in managing these behaviours.
- Successfully organised and led a whole community arts festival that resulted in nearly $3000 being raised for school funds.
- Coordinated the Student Representative Council, raising over $2000 for school funds.
- Positively mentored pre-service and graduate teachers, supporting them to complete high quality portfolios and other relevant paperwork that aligned with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
- Increased attainment results through regular tracking and monitor meetings with staff, interpreting data and modelling teaching practices.
- In Scotland, established and coordinated school’s pupil digital leader program and achieved Digital Schools Award accreditation.
- Developed a support system for pupils and their families for whom English is second language.
- Led nursery team and achieved ‘very good’ at Care Inspectorate Quality Assurance visit.
- Successfully applied to the Connecting Scotland fund and was awarded 4000GPB for the purchase of iPads for vulnerable families.
Affiliations
- Registered teacher with ACT Teacher Quality Institute
- Hold a valid Working with Vulnerable People card (ACT)
- Currently applying for mutual recognition as registered teacher with Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
- Registered teacher with the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS)
- Member of the union Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS)
Certification
- Supporting Learners with Additional Support Needs
- Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainer
- Apple Teacher Training
- Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator
- Trainer / Facilitator Training
- Child Exploitation & Online Protection Training
- Coaching & Mentoring Training
- Quality Assurance Moderation Training
Interests
Timeline
Class Teacher
Macquarie Primary School
04.2022 - Current
Principal Teacher (Stage Leader)
Westquarter Primary School, Falkirk Council
01.2015 - 06.2017
Class Teacher
Bowral Public School
01.2013 - 12.2013
Class Teacher
Westquarter Primary School, Falkirk Council
08.2005 - 01.2015
Higher Mathematics - undefined
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
Higher English - undefined
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
Higher Biology - undefined
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
Intermediate 2 History - undefined
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
Higher Computing - undefined
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
Higher Physics - undefined
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
BEd (Hons) - Primary Education
University of Edinburgh
RELEVANT TRAINING
- Strengthening Readers and Writers Through Vocabulary Instruction, Australian Literacy Educator's Association (ALEA), Oct 2025
- ACT HALT Network Sharespace 2025, ACT HALT Network, Sept 2025
- Foundation Trainer Plus Reaccreditation, ACT Education Directorate, Aug 2025
- Planning, Creating and Nurturing Cultures of Curiosity, Australian Literacy Educator's Association (ALEA), May 2025
- HLTAID009 - Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ACT Well Frist Aid Training, Jan 2025
- Strong Foundations: An evidence-informed approach to learning in ACT public schools, ACT Education Directorate, Jan 2025
- Disability Standards for Education, Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD), Dec 2024
- Keeping Children and Young People Safe, HRIMS Learning Online, Oct 2024
- TIES: The Inquiry Educator Summit, Toddle, Sept 2024
- Team Teach Training, (EDU) Service Design and Delivery, May 2024
- Introduction to the Berry Street Education Model, ACT teaching staff, Jan 2024
- Ron Ritchhart - Cultures of Thinking, Project Zero, Aug 2023
- Exploring the Inquiry Mindset: Cultivating Curiosity with Trevor MacKenzie & Jessica Vance, Jul 2023
- Positive Behaviour for Learning: Universal Non-Classroom Systems, ACT PBL Coaches, Mar 2023
- Mathematics Practice in Primary Years, Dr Paul Swan, Jan 2023
- An introduction to autism, HRIMS Learning Online, Feb 2023
- Inclusive Learning, HRIMS Learning Online, Jan 2023
- Phonics and Morphology: A love story, ACT teaching staff, Nov 2022
- Inquiry Workshop, ACT teaching staff, Nov 2022
- Writing Conferences: The Foundation of Assessment, All About Writers, Aug 2022
- Google Suite, GSuite Online Training, Aug 2022
- Data Protection Training, Falkirk Council, Sept 2021
- Microsoft Educator Training Courses in Excel, Sway, PowerPoint, Forms, One Note & Teams, Microsoft, Sept 2021
- Supporting Learners with Additional Support Needs, Falkirk Council, May 2021
- Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainer, Microsoft Trainer Academy, June 2020
- Apple Teacher Training, Apple, April 2020
- Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator, Microsoft, Feb 2020
- Trainer / Facilitator Training, Nurturing Network, June 2016
- Child Exploitation & Online Protection Training, Police Scotland, May 2015
- Coaching & Mentoring Training, Falkirk Council, April 2015
- Quality Assurance Moderation Training, Education Scotland, Sept 2014