Bundaberg automotive teacher receives recognition for dedication to students

TAFE Queensland automotive teacher Ryan Hunter made it through the nomination and interview process to be made a finalist for the North Coast final of the Queensland Training Awards,  facing off against the best of the best for the title of VET teacher/Trainer of the Year.

While he was pipped at the post by fellow TAFE Queensland teacher Tracy Galaud, Ryan said he was grateful to have made it so far.

“It was an honour just to be nominated in the first place, so to get this far has been incredible. To know that all the effort you’re putting in has been recognised by your students and your peers – it feels amazing,” Ryan said.

“Winning would have been the cherry on the cake. But this acknowledgement means a lot to not just me, but my team as a whole. I’m not a lone ranger – yes, it’s just me in the classroom with my students, but the processes, structures and support that helped have put me in this position are a team effort, so I think my nomination really reflects them too.”

As an automotive teacher at TAFE Queensland’s Bundaberg campus, Ryan caught the attention of judges for his work with local TAFE at School students, with the dedicated teacher going out of his way to keep at-risk teenagers engaged in learning. From gamifying lessons and switching up his delivery methods to maintain attention, to working with students, parents and schools to support disengaged students and help them find a direction or solution that suits them, Ryan has truly gone above and beyond to ensure no student gets left behind.

His approach is clearly resonating with local students, with Ryan’s cohort growing a mammoth 525 per cent in the three years since he took over delivery of the Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation (AUR20720).

Ryan said his teaching was heavily inspired by his own experience in school, and that he wanted to ensure the region’s young people felt safe and supported to learn in a way that works for them.

“When I was a 15 or 16 year-old, I wasn’t sure where I fit in. I wasn’t an academic learner – I learned by doing – and my classes weren’t set up to cater for that,” Ryan said.

“If you’re a hands-on learner, you can struggle to find joy in a typical classroom or think you’re failing, so as a teacher I’ve always wanted to ensure that my students, no matter what their learning style is, have the opportunity to thrive and realise how smart and capable they really are.

“It inspires me to see them turn into the students they’ve always had the ability to be. When I go and see one of my past students in the workplace, now as an apprentice, and they’re happy and putting their best foot forward in the industry – knowing the team and I have helped them get there is definitely the most rewarding part of what I do.”

TAFE Queensland General Manager for East Coast region, Mark Reilly said the organisation was immensely proud of Ryan’s achievement.

“All our teachers play an important role in building careers for Queenslanders and developing skilled work forces right across the state,” Mr Reilly said.

“The level of commitment and passion Ryan has for ensuring not only do his students receive the best learning experience and outcomes possible, but for advancing the local automotive industry, is nothing short of awe-inspiring and his contribution to industry and vocational education will be felt for years to come.

“We congratulate Ryan for his efforts – no matter the outcome, in our eyes and in the eyes of his students, he’s already a winner.”