After stints in Young, Balranald and even Darwin, Mrs Casey settled in Griffith not long after her teaching career began in 1995 and has since taught generations of high school students the subjects of community and family studies, food technology, hospitality and textiles and design.

The certification is no mean feat, taking several years to complete, requiring participants to submit a portfolio of evidence addressing 37 unique standard descriptors as well as an additional eight referees, and having an external observer witness their in classroom teaching.

Mrs Casey is the first teacher from MRHS to receive the certification and said whilst it was a long process, she was 'really glad' she underwent the often arduous process.

"To receive my certification I spent quite a few years working on it, writing up a program, implementing it within classrooms and then having to prove it worked" Mrs Casey said.

"I had to demonstrate my impact on my students, on my colleagues and it was all overwhelmingly positive which was great.

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Submitting my portfolio to a panel of three strangers was very nerve-wracking, it felt like my lifework but I knew that it would make me better at how I teach and support my students and colleagues."

According to Mrs Casey, she was 'really proud' to be able to reflect on her own teaching and the impact she has had on the lives of others throughout her extensive teaching career.

"Undergoing the certification also showed me areas of which I could improve in, I really did learn a lot both professionally and personally throughout the entirety of the process."

MRHS Executive Principle David Crelley noted that Mrs Casey was 'highly regarded by her peers' and was 'universally acknowledged for the empathy, warmth and dedication shown to her students.'

"We are all very proud of Mrs Casey's achievements and congratulate her on this significant milestone in her career" Mr Crelley said.

Mrs Casey strongly encouraged other teachers in the Griffith community to undergo the certification.

"Preparing for this certification will make you better at teaching" Mrs Casey said.

"I couldn't have done it without the support of Murrumbidgee Regional High School, I feel so blessed to have had the school in my corner and of course all of my delightful students."

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