Jenna Cullen has emerged as a trailblazer in educational innovation at Marsden State High School. Her work, which integrates the latest research from psychology, education, and neuroscience, has significantly enhanced student learning and reshaped the broader educational landscape.

Jenna’s standout initiative is the Science of Learning Pedagogy Toolkit, a comprehensive resource that supports over 250 colleagues. This toolkit combines cutting-edge research with a strength-based approach to create a unified standard of high-quality teaching. Complemented by the QLearn website, which provides practical examples and professional learning opportunities, the toolkit has fostered a culture of continuous improvement.

Another major innovation is Jenna’s revolutionising of 42 Professional Learning Communities. Her leadership of the communities has encouraged teachers to engage in action research, share insights, and collaboratively enhance their teaching methods. Jenna has facilitated this process by collaborating with experts to create a repository of 50 hours of evidence-based professional learning resources accessible via the school’s intranet.

Jenna’s influence extends beyond Marsden. She has shared her expertise with over 800 preservice teachers and 3,800 students on topics including the Science of Learning, well-being and behaviour management. Her work has been recognised at conferences and educational institutions across Queensland, NSW, Victoria, and internationally, including presentations to the Singapore Ministry of Education. Dr Jared Cooney Horvath (University Melbourne and Harvard) commended her team for developing a school-wide Science of Learning implementation plan, calling it a global benchmark.

In 2024, Jenna, in collaboration with Dr Horvath, hosted a Science of Learning Day for the Marsden community, further solidifying her impact. Her efforts have earned her a finalist spot for Head of Department of the Year in the Australian Educator awards and numerous other accolades, including the Australian Education Award for Best Professional Learning Program.