ALUMNI PROFILES Emma Wilson

Class Of 2008

During the devastating floods that struck Living School in Lismore, NSW in 2022, Emma Wilson emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience. Witnessing her unwavering dedication and swift action during this crisis, parents and students at Living School refer to Emma as a “once-in-a-lifetime” teacher.

Emma Wilson is on a mission to create equity in education for rural and regional Australian children. With an unwavering passion for making a positive impact on her students’ lives, Emma has become a shining example of dedication and innovation in the field of education.

After graduating from Kinross Wolaroi, Emma’s ambition led her to Charles Sturt University, where she studied a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Early Childhood and Primary). But Emma didn’t stop there – she continued to expand her knowledge with a Postgraduate Certificate in Religious Education from the Australian Catholic University and a Graduate Certificate of Educational Design from Monash University.

Since 2014, Emma has taught in various schools and locations, leaving a trail of inspiration in her wake. In 2019, while teaching at St. John’s Parish School in the small agricultural town of Trangie, NSW, Emma spearheaded the aweinspiring ‘Bust the Dust’ project. This ingenious initiative saw students at the school initiate a rain dance involving hundreds of other schools across the country, garnering attention from Channel 9 and celebrities like the Hockeyroos. Not only did Bust the Dust bring joy to those affected by the drought, but it also raised important funds for those affected.

In 2021, Emma moved to Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Skennars Head in the Northern Rivers Region of NSW. During her time there, her class jointly won the coveted Grow Inclusion competition, held by International Day of People with Disability - Australia. Their creative video used gardening puns, encouraging us to take the ‘thyme’ to lend a hand and letting us know it was time we ‘rose’ to the occasion, to emphasise the importance of inclusivity for people with a disability.

Emma’s exceptional teaching abilities and unwavering commitment haven’t gone unnoticed. In 2020, she was awarded the Australia Day Children’s Champion Award and the Bishop’s Award for her innovative contributions to the educational landscape of school settings, particularly through her Bust the Dust initiative. In 2022, she was honoured with the National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) Apple Award and the Terry O’Connell Regional and Remote Teachers’ Award, recognising her outstanding efforts in supporting her students during challenging times, namely the Lismore floods. Emma’s resilience and dedication were showcased when she turned the floods into an opportunity for projectbased learning at the town’s Living School. Her students wrote a powerful song about climate change, performing it in front of local politicians and United Nations delegates. Emma’s inspiring approach to teaching even caught the attention of Sunrise morning TV, where she appeared alongside her talented students, showcasing the profound impact she had on their lives.

More recently, Emma was named a finalist for BOP Industries’ Next Gen Awards 2023 in the Innovative Educator of the Year category. This category recognises educators who have gone above and beyond in their pursuit to educate and empower the next generation of young innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. There’s no doubt Emma fits this category. Emma more recently went to Sydney after her students’ Climate Change Your Tune song initiative, following the floods, was named a winner at the NSW Resilient Australia Awards.

Emma holds the esteemed position of Director of Middle School at Living School. Her commitment to pedagogical innovation and lifelong learning shines through in her role, as she dedicates herself to nurturing her students’ innate curiosity, fostering a love of learning, and equipping them with the skills they need to become socially conscious citizens of the future. Emma’s teaching philosophy revolves around creating a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that values social justice campaigns, integrated studies, project and inquirybased learning, sustainability, and individuality.

Driven by her unwavering belief in the transformative power of education, Emma is determined to lead the way in educational reform at Living School and wherever her career may take her. Her ultimate dream is to shift the focus onto each individual student, providing enriching learning experiences that harness their unique abilities and interests. Emma envisions a learning environment where every student feels inspired, uplifted, valued, and appreciated – a place where a lifelong love of learning is fostered, empowering students to make meaningful contributions to the world.