Cowra High School teacher Amy Young has been named Rising Star of the Year at the 2020 Australian Education Awards.
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Ms Young received the news last week, with the Cowra High School, school-wide wellbeing program 'The Learning Hub' also up for a gong.
She said the award was not only a coup for her, but public education.
"I feel very blessed to be able to represent not just Cowra High School on that platform but public education as well," she said.
"I'm very passionate and committed to public education, providing a high quality curriculum to all students."
Ms Young said she hopes the award will inspire other teachers to take up jobs in rural and remote areas.
"I've only ever taught in rural and remote schools, that's been something that I've really benefited from," she said.
"The opportunities and unique challenges that are faced in those environments have given me the skill set to excel and challenge myself and take on new responsibilities within a school setting. Ultimately that's everything that's led to the award and the recognition on that platform."
Cowra High School deputy principal, Anthony Hamer said Ms Young goes above and beyond for the school, taking on multiple roles such as Student Leadership Council (SLC) coordinator.
"Everyone was over the moon... Not just for Amy, but the school and the town as well, it was that collective ownership of such a prestigious award," he said.
"There's a long history of career teachers being at CHS... and to see a new group of young teachers coming in and staying, being of such a high quality, adding to the leadership of the school and bringing their unique perspectives, it's a real breath of fresh air."
Ms Young thanked the school's leadership team for their continued support.
"Without them having the faith in me and giving me opportunities to take on new roles and responsibilities in the school, I wouldn't have the skill set that I have and I wouldn't have the opportunity to gone for the award," she said.