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Rebecca Beveridge earns spot in the 2024 Top 50 Teachers List

Rebecca Beveridge is a much-loved Aussie teacher who shares her colourful classroom and expertise with the world through her Instagram page @groovy_mrs_b. She was recently awarded top honours in News Corp’s ‘Australia’s Best Teachers’ campaign, an initiative designed to celebrate hardworking educators and highlight their vital role in society. The campaign is proudly supported by sponsors such as Officeworks, Teachers Mutual Bank, and Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools.

We caught up with Rebecca to learn more about the inspiration behind her teaching, her student-focused approach, and her excitement surrounding the future of education.

A passion for teaching and student wellbeing

Rebecca graduated six years ago with a Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education from the Australian Catholic University. Rebecca was drawn to the idea of teaching from a very young age. Having struggled in school herself, learning was both an exciting and challenging experience. ‘Reading and maths were significant challenges for me but I had incredible teachers who believed in and supported me. I knew I wanted to be that kind of person for kids who faced similar struggles.’

Rebecca’s motivation stems from a strong desire to change lives and inspire children to be the best version of themselves. ‘I am motivated to teach students the skills they need for a successful future. What excites me most is the opportunity to build relationships with these children and be a consistent source of help and support.’

Now, in addition to teaching her class of Prep students, Rebecca has also recently completed her Master’s degree with a specialisation in Student Wellbeing at The University of Melbourne. Her passion for lifelong learning not only fosters a drive to inspire her students but also shapes the way she applies her learning in the classroom.

While teaching methods and strategies may change over time, Rebecca has found one approach that consistently meets the needs of her students. ‘I believe my approach has always been consistent: my top priority is the wellbeing of my students. I focus on whether they feel safe and happy at school. This foundation allows me to build relationships with my students, which in turn enhances my ability to teach them effectively.’

Looking forward to the future of teaching


We were eager to hear Rebecca’s insights on emerging education trends and what excites her the most about the future of teaching. For her, the most exciting development is the growing body of research in the Science of Learning, especially regarding phonics and its practical application in the classroom. ¹

‘I believe that the teaching methods emerging from the Science of Learning will bring significant changes to the classroom. I’m particularly excited about the innovative techniques designed to meet the diverse needs of all students to ensure their engagement through various participation strategies.’ ²

She also expressed enthusiasm for the increasing role of technology in the classroom. ‘I believe that the use of technology will support this learning through whole-school engagement with interactive learning experiences’.

Rebecca’s top tips for educators

Having gained valuable insights throughout her teaching journey, we asked Rebecca to share some small changes that can make a big difference in the classroom. Based on her own experiences, she put together these top tips to help educators embrace their roles and thrive.

Fully immerse yourself in placements: ‘When I finished university, I didn’t feel ready at all! The more placements I did and the more schools I worked at through casual relief teaching helped me build my confidence to get to where I am today.’

Ask lots of questions: ‘There are no silly questions! Questions about everything help you learn a lot!’

Prioritise your own wellbeing: ‘It’s really important to put yourself first. This could be leaving work at 4 pm and doing something for yourself instead of taking work home. Little things like that make a world of difference.’

Stay true to you: ‘There can be a lot of negativity in the media about teaching. Let your own experiences determine your attitude towards the job. In my experience, the positives always outweigh the negatives.’

Congratulations, Rebecca! We’re so excited to see all the incredible things you’ll accomplish on your teaching journey. If you’d like to follow along, you can check out her Instagram here.

References
1. Ehri, L. C. (2020). The Science of Learning to Read Words: A Case for Systematic Phonics Instruction. Reading Research Quarterly, 55(S1), S45–S60. https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.334↩
2. Darling-Hammond, L., Flook, L., Cook-Harvey, C., Barron, B., & Osher, D. (2019). Implications for educational practice of the science of learning and development. Applied Developmental Science, 24(2), 97–140. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2018.1537791↩