Rachael Bennett
Mudgeeraba,QLD
Summary
I am a highly experienced Senior Teacher with exceptional interpersonal skills and outstanding behaviour management expertise, developed over more than 25 years across diverse primary school settings. I excel at building positive, productive relationships with students, families, school teams and leadership teams. My practice is grounded in trauma-informed strategies, personalised learning, and inclusive education, enabling me to support students with complex medical, social, and emotional needs while maintaining continuity of learning during challenging circumstances. I am a dedicated educator who is adaptable, dependable, and hardworking, with a passion for helping students achieve their academic and personal goals in a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Experienced Senior Primary School Teacher (EST 2)
The Arundel State School
01.2021 - Current
I have extensive experience teaching across all primary school year levels and have served as an Inclusion Teacher, providing targeted support to students with diverse learning needs. In this role, I have undertaken additional responsibilities including developing and implementing Individual Education Plans (IEPs), collaborating with leadership teams, school staff, and families, supporting social-emotional learning, and leading initiatives to create inclusive, supportive classroom environments. These experiences have strengthened my leadership, communication, and behaviour management skills, enabling me to make a positive impact on every student’s learning journey.
- Created supportive and inclusive learning environments, fostering positive classroom atmospheres supporting student growth and learning.
- Deliver engaging, differentiated lessons for students with medical, learning, and social-emotional needs.
- Develop, implement, and monitor ICPs in collaboration with health staff, leadership teams, and families.
- Adapt teaching strategies to meet diverse student needs, from extension to intensive support.
- Integrate digital tools to increase engagement and accessibility.
- Build strong, trusting relationships with families to support holistic student development. Served as a mentor to new teachers, providing guidance on lesson planning, classroom management, and assessment techniques.
- Establish positive relationships with parents through effective communication, leading to increased involvement in their child's education.
- Attend professional development workshops and conferences to stay current with educational trends and best practices.
- Provided regular feedback to students on progress and assigned grades based on performance.
Experienced Senior Teacher (EST 2)
Benowa State School
01.1998 - 12.2021
Education
Bachelor of Education - Primary
Griffith University
Gold Coast, QLD01.1998
Skills
- Proven ability to inspire and engage students across a wide range of abilities and needs
- Expertise in behaviour management and creating a positive learning culture for all student
- Strong partnerships with leadership teams, school teams, colleagues, and external agencies
- Skilled in trauma-informed and inclusive teaching practices
- Ability to create and deliver highly personalised learning programs (ICPs, IEPs and PLPs)
- Effective verbal and written communication skills with all stakeholders
- Flexible, adaptive teaching in both traditional and non-traditional settings
- Exceptional knowledge in planning and implementation of the Australian Curriculum and assessment practices
Certification
- Current Queensland Teacher Registration (QCT)
- First Aid & CPR Certification, Diabetes Training- current
Timeline
Experienced Senior Primary School Teacher (EST 2)
The Arundel State School
01.2021 - Current
Experienced Senior Teacher (EST 2)
Benowa State School
01.1998 - 12.2021
Bachelor of Education - Primary
Griffith University
ALIGNMENT TO KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
- Commitment to working with stakeholders
I consistently demonstrate a strong commitment to building and maintaining positive partnerships with leadership teams, school teams, colleagues, Queensland Health staff, and families. Through open, respectful, and proactive communication, I ensure that all stakeholders are informed, engaged, and working collaboratively to achieve the best educational and wellbeing outcomes for students in a variety of settings.
- Evidence of trauma-informed practice
I embed trauma-informed practices into every aspect of my teaching, creating safe, supportive, and predictable learning environments that empower students to feel valued and understood. By prioritising trust, emotional safety, and consistent routines, I reduce anxiety and maximise engagement, while ensuring that each student’s health, emotional, and academic needs are met with empathy and flexibility.
- Ability to form positive relationships with young people
I establish authentic, respectful, and trusting relationships with students by listening to their voices, recognising their strengths, and personalising learning to suit their abilities, interests, and health needs. This student-centred approach fosters confidence, motivation, and a sense of belonging, enabling students to remain connected and engaged with their education despite challenging circumstances.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills
I am a confident and adaptable communicator, skilled at tailoring my message to suit diverse audiences, including students, parents, colleagues, and health professionals. Whether in face-to-face conversations, written reports, or formal meetings, I convey information clearly, sensitively, and with purpose. My ability to actively listen, collaborate effectively, and offer constructive feedback strengthens trust and fosters productive professional relationships.