With 18 years of experience in the classroom, Melanie Egan, a Year 3 teacher at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Wandal, Rockhampton, is known for her thoughtful and faith-filled approach to teaching. Deeply inspired by a teacher who once helped her find her own voice, Melanie now dedicates her career to ensuring every child in her care feels seen, valued, and celebrated. Her passion for learning, reading, and building strong classroom communities reflects her belief that education is not only about knowledge—but also about nurturing hearts, fostering connection, and living out faith through everyday acts of kindness and compassion.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
For me, it wasn’t a what—it was a who. As a shy and quiet student at school myself, I often flew under the radar. But one teacher truly noticed me. She encouraged me to speak up and take pride in my learning, not just quietly achieve. Her belief in me planted the seed that I had a voice and it was worth sharing.
I’ve always loved learning and helping others, so teaching felt like a natural vocation for me. A few years into my career, I attended a professional development session where we were asked to reflect on what our favourite teacher did for us—and how we now do that for our students. From that moment, I made it my mission to intentionally notice every child in my care.
Each afternoon, before the bell rings, I take a moment to share who I noticed that day and why. As a class, we celebrate that student. If I forget or we run out of time, the students are quick to remind me—it’s their favourite part of the day, and it must not be missed.
I hope that one day, a student of mine will look back and feel the way I did. Teaching is a privilege, but what means the most to me is knowing I might help someone feel truly seen.
Can you share a moment in your career where you really felt you made a difference?
There have been many small but meaningful moments throughout my teaching career. Comments from past students or their families, recalling something positive from their time in my classroom are always really meaningful to me. But the moments that move me most are when I see students authentically using the shared language we’ve built together as a class.
Whether it’s encouraging one another to be resilient when learning feels hard, or celebrating a peer’s success by saying, “I noticed you”…these are the moments that show me our classroom culture has taken on a life of its own. It’s incredibly special to witness students not only internalising these values but also using them to lift each other up.
That’s when I feel I’ve made a difference, not just in what they’ve learned, but in how they treat themselves and others.
Is there a story from your time teaching that has inspired you or had a deep impact on you?
As an avid reader, I love sharing my passion for literature with my students. One year, I started a voluntary lunchtime Book Club for a small group of proficient but indifferent readers. Each week, I wrapped up “mystery books” for them to unwrap and explore together. Slowly, curiosity spread. More students began asking about the special books, and within a few weeks, our group grew from five to eleven members.
What moved me most was hearing students say they didn’t realise how much they loved reading until they heard their peers talking about books they enjoyed. I was genuinely touched that so many were willing to give up their free time to connect over stories. That experience reminded me of the power of community and how a shared love of reading can spark joy.
How does your faith shape your teaching approach?
My faith shapes the way I see and respond to each student. I try to live out the belief that every person has inherent dignity, and I aim to reflect that in my classroom by intentionally connecting with students and celebrating who they are. I want each child to feel seen and valued. Whether it’s through prayer, acts of service, or the way we speak to and care for one another, there’s a shared understanding that every person is worthy of dignity and compassion.
What’s the most rewarding part of teaching in a Catholic school?
For me, it’s being part of a community where shared values guide the everyday. There’s a deep sense of connection that comes from working alongside colleagues, students, and families who are united by a common purpose—not just to educate minds, but to nurture hearts and spirits.
I also feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to help others explore and build their own sense of faith, whether that’s through quiet conversations, shared moments of awe or gratitude, or simply modelling compassion and kindness in everyday interactions. It’s a privilege to be part of a community where faith, connectedness to community and learning go hand in hand.
What do you think is the most valuable role Catholic education plays in today’s society?
I think that Catholic education provides students with a foundation to live out the rest of their lives. Faith plays a vital role in helping students navigate life’s challenges. It offers a source of strength, comfort and guidance, while also encouraging gratitude for the beauty and blessings in our lives. Catholic education fosters a deep sense of connection—to self, to others, and to God. It helps students grow into individuals who are equipped to make a positive difference in the world.