Coffs Harbour independent school – Bishop Druitt College is proud to announce that Kali Rouillon, a primary school teacher, has been awarded a 2025 The Educator Rising Stars and School Leadership Award. This prestigious award highlights the outstanding contributions of young educators who are reshaping learning environments and inspiring future generations.

Kali’s innovative approach to education has gained significant recognition for her exceptional commitment to integrating digital technology into the classroom and inspiring students to engage creatively with their learning. Over the past year, Kali has demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to teaching by embedding cutting-edge digital tools and fostering a collaborative learning environment.

"I am incredibly honoured to receive this award. I believe technology in education is a tool for empowerment, creativity, and connection," said Kali. "My goal has always been to inspire my students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and express themselves in diverse and creative ways. The results we have achieved together this year are a testament to the power of innovative thinking and the potential for technology to enhance learning experiences."

Chris Sweeney, Managing Editor for Special Reports at The Educator shared his insights on the selection process, stating, “The calibre of nominees was inspirational and underlined how bright the future of Australian education is. Kali Rouillon is at the forefront of this and is a deserved winner due to her ability to lead and innovate, coupled with her determination and passion to drive education standards higher.”

One of Kali’s most significant accomplishments was the redesign and leadership of an innovative writing program underpinned by the principles of Deep Learning. This initiative allowed students to explore critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration in new and exciting ways. The program also included a partnership with a robotics company, where students created functional robotic models and developed persuasive advertisements to promote their designs. This project blended digital literacy with critical writing skills and empowered students to take ownership of their learning.

Kali also worked closely with an Apple consultant to integrate apps like GarageBand into the program, teaching students to create their own jingles for their digital advertisements. This approach fostered a multi-modal learning experience, connecting music, technology, and writing to allow students to express their ideas creatively and with confidence.

Head of Primary Sarah Stokes praised Kali’s leadership and innovative teaching methods, emphasising how her efforts have had a transformative impact on the entire school community.

“Kali’s approach to teaching has truly set a new standard in how we think about learning at Bishop Druitt College. Her commitment to integrating digital tools and fostering creativity in students is nothing short of exceptional,” said Sarah Stokes. “Not only has Kali inspired her students to explore new ways of thinking and communicating, but she has also worked tirelessly to share her knowledge and expertise with her colleagues. She embodies the essence of leadership in education, and we are so proud of the recognition she’s receiving through The 2025 The Educator Rising Stars and School Leadership Award.”

In addition to her work with students, Kali has played a key role in mentoring her peers. She has actively shared her digital teaching practices with colleagues, creating a collaborative environment where educators are empowered to embrace technology in their classrooms. Her work has had a lasting impact on the school's approach to teaching and learning, positioning Bishop Druitt College as a leader in educational innovation.

The outcomes of Kali’s initiatives have been impactful for her students. They have flourished creatively, improved their digital literacy skills, and developed stronger communication abilities. By embedding digital technology into everyday learning, Kali has ensured that her students are equipped with the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world and are on their way to becoming world prepared.

“The success of this program has been a team effort, and I am so proud of the growth my students have shown this year,” Kali added. “This award is not just a recognition of my work, but of the amazing effort and creativity of every student and colleague involved. I have been inspired by my fellow colleagues to embed digital technologies into my classroom.”

The 2025 The Educator Rising Stars and School Leadership Award is a celebration of exceptional young educators who are making a lasting impact on education across Australia. Kali’s dedication to innovative teaching practices and her leadership in fostering creativity and digital literacy in her classroom make her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

TE Rising Stars and School Leadership Award 2025 - Kali Rouillon (Bishop Druitt College) (theeducatorsmag.com)

About 2025 The Educator Rising Stars and School Leadership Award

The Rising Stars 2025 report was launched with a call for entries from the entire Australian K–12 education sector. To be eligible, candidates for the Rising Stars award must be aged 35 or younger, be working in a role related to the K–12 education sector, and have demonstrated effective leadership, innovation, and achievement in their career to date. Both self-nominations and nominations on behalf of colleagues were accepted.

In addition to recognising individual Rising Stars, the School Leadership Award was introduced to celebrate the schools fostering these exemplary young talents. This award acknowledges schools that provide an environment where young educators thrive, support teachers to excel, and demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation, and achievement in nurturing early-career educators.

Winners of both awards were judged on the substance of their nominations, with a particular focus on specific outcomes achieved and supporting data. This included evidence of effective leadership practices, professional development opportunities, and initiatives fostering teacher success and student growth.

The Educator team conducted a meticulous review of all nominations to ensure the awards highlighted the very best contributions to the Australian K–12 education sector.