In his role as mathematics teacher and Head of Department at Emerald State High School (ESHS), Nahroon Nazim, a former stockbroker, has seen student achievement improve with, greater numbers electing to do the highest level of mathematics and many participating in extension activities, despite believing they had no aptitude for it in the past.

Unlike most schools of their size, ESHS now offers three stand-alone Specialist Mathematics classes.

Mr Nazim, who has a degree in mathematics and physics, said a "mindset shift" among teachers, the development of pedagogy resources and a learning environment that values small successes and allows for risks, have contributed to student success.

Growing up on a small island in Fiji, Mr Nazim said he saw the same challenges in Emerald - "Maths was the last thing on students' minds" – and wanted to make a difference.

"I know what it feels like because I've been there myself,” Mr Nazim said.

Whether he's teaching basic or advanced levels, he interweaves different pedagogical techniques and real-life scenarios to bring concepts to life. Using innovative step-by-step thinking sequences, students discover the "why".

He also introduced a Professional Learning Community (PLC), where teachers from eight schools across the region come together to shape, share and improve their maths teaching.

“It’s not just one brain, but the power of the group. The intention is to impact the most students as possible,” Mr Nazim said.

He said another turning point was fostering a high trust environment in his department, where ideas about teaching can be readily shared during voluntary pedagogy meetings.

“The teacher is the secret sauce,” Mr Nazim said.

"It's about the flavour you add, the personal relationship, the mindset and your belief in the students. What students think they can do is directly related to what they can do."

The change in culture had an impact on learning across the school, with the percentage of students achieving an A or B in mathematics increasing by up to 25%.

Mr Nazim emphasises that results are not goals, but flow on effects. The key is relative gains; by experiencing a little success every day, students quickly progress to where they need to be and beyond.

“When students get those a-ha moments, it’s like magic,” he said.

“Their greatest success is not getting an A or passing. It involves solving a question or a problem they were unable to solve before. To know they can do it. I can't think of a better reason to go back to teaching the next day."

In the words of a current Year 10 student: “His classroom is the best learning environment ever.”

Mr Nazim is a finalist at the Queensland College of Teachers TEACHX Awards, in the Excellence in Teaching category.

Winners will be announced October 27th, on the eve of World Teachers' Day in Queensland.