Kelly Gervasoni, Middle and senior school teacher, St Andrews Lutheran College
Kelly Gervasoni is at the forefront of innovation and change for disengaged students at St Andrews Lutheran College. She is currently implementing Wonder Women, a social-emotional learning program that addresses low self-efficacy, low self-esteem and low engagement with middleschool female students. Based on the college’s annual student wellbeing survey, which demonstrated an increase in the number of female students who feel a lack of purpose in life and are disengaged with their studies, Gervasoni undertook thorough research via a literature review to investigate what factors influence the implementation of a social-emotional learning program for middle-school girls. The program she developed aims to recognise and assist transitions in physical development, cognitive abilities, emotional modifications and self-esteem that adolescents commonly experience.