Dr Caroline Taran, a dedicated educator at Mt St Michael's College, has been recognised for her exceptional contributions to teaching and learning. With over nine years of service, Caroline has consistently demonstrated leadership, innovation, and a commitment to inclusive, evidence-based education.

Caroline's work has connected students with real-world science through initiatives like the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, which she integrated into the Year 12 Biology curriculum. This project not only aligned with the QCE syllabus but also fostered authentic scientific inquiry and community engagement. Establishing a Year 10 excursion to the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and collaborating with the University of Queensland on their DNA Detectives research project has further enriched students' science learning experiences.

Caroline also champions the integration of First Nations knowledge, developing resources across the science curriculum that encourage students to value diverse perspectives.

Beyond the classroom, Caroline contributes to a variety of communities of practice, mentoring colleagues in differentiated learning and NCCD evidence collection, presenting professional learning on evidence informed pedagogy and supporting fellow educators with HALT certification and assessment. Caroline's influence extends nationally through her roles with AITSL and AERO, where she contributes to shaping high-impact teaching practices.