Two staff members from Mastery Schools Australia in Springfield Central have been named national awardees for their contributions to education.
Springfield Central Educators Earn National Recognition
Mastery Schools Australia (MSA) Springfield Central has produced two national awardees in the 2025 Australian Education Awards, with Principal Sharyn Angel named in the School Principal of the Year – Non-government category and teacher Zoe Anlezark recognised as an Education Rising Star of the Year. Both were acknowledged for their contributions to re-engaging students who had previously struggled in mainstream education.
The awards, announced by The Educator on 12 May 2025, will be formally presented at a ceremony in Sydney later this year.
Principal Recognised for Transformational Leadership
Principal Sharyn Angel has been named among the top non-government school principals in the country. With a teaching career that began in 2001, she has led several initiatives to support disadvantaged learners, including her earlier work at Shailer Park State High School and Springfield Central State High School.
Since founding the MSA Springfield campus in 2022, she has implemented evidence-based teaching models that focus on student placement, explicit instruction, and accelerated progress. Under her leadership, students have recorded strong academic gains in reading and maths. Her leadership previously earned her the inaugural Commonwealth Bank Teaching Award in 2015 and a place as a TeachX Awards finalist in 2021.
Rising Star Celebrated for Teaching Impact
Zoe Anlezark, one of the original assistant teachers at MSA Springfield, was recognised in the Education Rising Star of the Year category. She began her journey as a teacher aide and entered the profession through Queensland’s Permission to Teach program.
Ms Anlezark teaches English, maths, and literacy intervention programs. Her approach is shaped by personal learning experiences and a commitment to making complex subjects more accessible for students. The National Institute for Direct Instruction recently awarded her the 2024 Siegfried Engelmann Excellence in Education Award, making her only the second Australian to receive this recognition.
Ms Anlezark’s work has focused on helping students who face significant barriers in learning, including low attendance and poor literacy. Her teaching has contributed to strong improvements in engagement and academic confidence among students.
Recognition Reflects Teaching Excellence
The recognition of both Principal Angel and Ms Anlezark highlights the influence of dedicated educators working within alternative schooling environments. Their inclusion among this year’s national awardees reflects growing awareness of the impact being made at Springfield Central through structured, evidence-based teaching.
The national award ceremony will be held at the Star Event Centre in Sydney on 8 August 2025.
Published 14-May-2025