Vasse Primary School teacher Tasmin Drummond was named WA's Beginning Teacher of the Year for 2019, and while she puts the huge honour down to a bit of luck, she said it was very humbling to receive the award.
When Ms Drummond was studying her teaching degree at university she was fortunate to complete her assistant teacher program at Vasse Primary School.
She was then able to carry on at the school through Edith Cowan University's internship program.
"I've had really good luck with my timing coming into the workforce," she said.
"The assistant teacher program was during term two and the internship carried through to term three so I had 20 weeks in the school before I graduated which was fantastic.
"I got a really good start from that, I carried on doing relief in term four and became full time the next year across a couple of class rooms.
"For me it has just been about luck, timing was on my side and I have been able to do a lot because of the internship and my amazing mentor Janine Shaw who has been fantastic.
"It was a really valuable experience."
While Ms Drummond put part of her success down to the internship, she said it was also the school and support from admin staff which made all the difference.
"I am quite passionate and work hard," she said.
"If you do not have the admin support or encouragement to try new things or investigate new pedagogies, for example we are big on flexible learning and enquiries, if you do not have that support you would not be able to do much.
"I am really lucky I have that support and encouragement, the admin staff are fantastic and really inspirational.
"It was a bit of luck that I fell into the right school and the right time."
Since Ms Drummond has been at the school they have implemented projects for students such as the girl's coding program and other innovative programs to build on the enquiry process for students.
Education and training minister Sue Ellery said it was an honour to recognise outstanding teachers, principals, schools and support staff who inspired students and provided them opportunities.
"It's fantastic to see school staff provide high-quality public education, by coming up with new and innovative ways to spark student learning," she said.
