Tamara Beale is a Visual Art teacher at Wellington Point State High School (WPSHS), where she leads projects that link the classroom to the community, helping students to develop their artistic skills and feel a sense of belonging.

Through the ENCORE Arts Excellence program and countless other activities, Mrs Beale’s students have rewarding opportunities to exhibit their work in local precincts, art studios and community centres.

“It’s so important for students to understand the community they live in takes an interest in schools in the area,” she said.

In anticipation of a precinct set to be built for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, her class made art on felled timber from the land that will become stools and tables.

“They said it will be so cool when it's done, because one day they can show their own kids and say they did it,'" she said.

As a result of strong relationships built with the Redlands City Council, students are also taking part in a koala project to be installed at Indigiscapes, the local environmental education centre.

It’s a project Mrs Beale is particularly excited about.

“The kids designed and entered a public art piece to raise awareness about koalas in the area. They won and the prize is it will be made," she said.

"When they saw the mock-up of the design they thought, wow, I could work in a place like this. And not just as an artist, but as a welder or a painter or in administration. It’s super exciting.”

Additionally, students participate in exhibitions at the sports club across the street as part of the community-classroom relationship.

“There are even retired people who help with installing the artwork, and they love it. The kids love it too, since their parents go there and some of the older kids work there,” she said.

“People will say, oh yes, I saw the artwork at the sports club. It’s a really nice connection.”

Several students have now been accepted to residencies, such as the Design Tracks program at the Queensland Museum and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA).

Mrs Beale also helps cultivate the next generation of teachers in the community by leading the school’s mentoring program for new, beginning and pre-service teachers.

“One of biggest hurdles for new teachers is to know you can ask for help. The most rewarding thing is problem solving together,” she said.

Each year, WPSHS receives 30-40 pre-service teachers from five universities. Many have such a seamless experience they return to join the "Wello" community.

It was Mrs Beale's high school art teacher who influenced her sense of community today.

“She would say, oh, there's an art course over the holidays, you should apply. I wouldn’t have put together my portfolio for university, but for her encouragement and help,” she said.

“This is what I do now for my students. As many times as I can, I throw real-life experiences their way.”

Mrs Beale is a finalist at the Queensland College of Teachers TEACHX Awards, in Outstanding Contribution to School Community category.

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