Peter Botsman Award 2010

Paul Sherman

Paul Sherman’s contribution to English teaching in Queensland has been long, multi-faceted and of continuing high quality.

After a stint as a cadet journalist and tertiary study at the University of Queensland, Paul began work as a high school teacher of English and drama in the late 1950s. During his career with the Queensland Department of Education he taught in state high schools at Murgon, Banyo, Kedron and Pine Rivers and also served as a lecturer at what was then Kedron Park Teachers College.

Paul was an inspiring classroom teacher and his students benefited from his passion for, and deep knowledge of literature. In addition, he was able to bring to bear on his classroom work with students the special perspectives of being both an accomplished and experienced actor and a published poet and playwright. Students who had Paul Sherman as an English teacher were very fortunate indeed.

Paul is now long retired from full-time teaching and this award seeks particularly to acknowledge the valuable contribution that he continues to make as a volunteer in schools.

He generously donates his time to present one-man shows that bring literature to life in classrooms for today’s students. Many schools have had their English programs significantly enriched by Paul’s lively performances of Australian poetry and scenes from Shakespeare. His enthusiasm, talent and deep knowledge coupled with friendliness and an engaging sense of humour ensure the active participation of students and bring the words of classic texts off the page and into action.

As well as this on-going volunteer work in schools, Paul has been a long time member and supporter of the English Teachers Association of Queensland and has been a regular contributor to its journal Words’Worth.

Just as many individual students over many years have gained from Paul’s work, the profession of English teaching in Queensland as a whole has been richer for the high quality contribution of this outstanding English teacher.