Casey Grammar teacher Danielle Searles has been named as one of Australia’s Most Influential Educators for 2024.
Danielle leads the Junior School Art program, one of only a handful of teachers across the country to earn a place on the annual list.
The Most Influential Educator list, compiled by The Educator, recognises educators for their expertise, innovation, leadership and commitment to staying ahead of industry trends.
Danielle has been recognised for her dedication and creativity in developing Casey Grammar School’s comprehensive Art program.
Before Danielle joined the school in 2023, the Junior School had no Visual Arts program. Danielle developed an extensive program from scratch and created a new Visual Arts studio that offers sewing, wire work, sculpture, collage, clay work, painting, jewellery-making and fashion design.
Danielle, who teaches Foundation to Year 6, is also an intervention teacher who assists students needing extra literacy support. She completed specialist MiniLit training and has significantly improved the reading, comprehension and writing skills of the students she works with each week.
“It’s an immense privilege, and quite a surprise, to be recognised as one of Australia’s Most Influential Educators,” Danielle said.
“Each year I’m impressed by the dedicated teachers named on the list who do their best to inspire their students.
“To be recognised as one of those teachers myself is overwhelming.
“Leading the Junior School Visual Arts program at Casey Grammar and seeing the ideas and creativity of the students come to life each day is hugely rewarding.”
Last year, Danielle organised an Art Show for the school community that attracted 1,000 visitors over two days. Every student at the Junior school created three pieces of work and the colourful displays spilled out of the Arts studio, along the corridors and into the school chapel.
Casey Grammar School Principal, Fiona Williams, said Danielle’s place on the Most Influential Educators list for 2024 was well-deserved.
“Everyone at Casey Grammar is thrilled to see Danielle recognised as one of Australia’s ‘most influential educators’. It’s a title that truly sums up Danielle’s limitless enthusiasm and her knack of finding new and creative ways to inspire every student,” Ms Williams said.
“Danielle is a true professional inside and outside the classroom. Her ideas and expertise inspire the young people she teaches and the colleagues who have the privilege of working alongside her at Casey Grammar.”
