World Teachers’ Day 2025: Teacher Spotlight – Stacey Sanders
30 October 2025
When Stacey Sanders finished school, she didn’t have a clear path in mind, just a strong desire to make a difference.
‘Funny story,’ Stacey said.
‘I applied for the Defence Force, the Police Force and university all at the same time. I told myself I’d go with whichever organisation accepted me first, and that just happened to be university.’
That twist of fate led her to a career she now calls ‘the perfect fit.’
Today, Stacey teaches upper primary at St Patrick’s School in Winton, the school she once attended as a student.
‘Yes, my first teaching job is where I still am today,’ she said.
‘Although I’ve been at the same school, I’ve actively sought opportunities to grow in my career,’ she said.
From leading a school-wide writing project to mentoring colleagues and participating in an aspiring leader’s course, Stacey has embraced every chance to evolve.
‘Out here, the job goes beyond the classroom, it becomes part of your identity,’ she said.
‘The community, the staff and the parents become a big part of your life. It’s a genuine, tight-knit connection that makes the work deeply fulfilling.’
‘My students teach me just as much as I teach them. They push me to be a better educator, to stay curious and to always seek new ways to support them.’
‘I’m driven to give them access to the same opportunities students in larger cities might have.’
Teaching multi-age classes means Stacey is always innovating.
‘I love coming up with exciting and creative ways to deliver the curriculum,’ she said.
My thinking is if I’m having fun, the kids are definitely having fun, and that’s when the best learning happens.’
Stacey believes that teaching is a career that demands passion, determination and a genuine love for what you do.
‘It’s not something you can really switch off from, but that’s part of what makes it so rewarding.’
‘Teaching rurally has fast-tracked my development in the best way,’ she said.
‘The opportunities out here are enormous, you just have to be open to them.’
Stacey Sanders
St Patrick’s School – Winton QLD
Listen to Stacey’s interview with the Department of Education and read the transcript here.
Visit the World Teachers’ Day (WTD) Queensland website to read more inspiring teacher stories and to download resources for your school community to celebrate WTD on Friday 31 October 2025.