South West education leader named a finalist in Women of Achievement Award

A South West education leader has been named in the State Government’s Women of Achievement Award. The award presented by the Department of Education has named five finalists from across the State who have contributed to the WA education system. Ms Cuneo, the South West Regional Education Office director of education, said she was honoured to be nominated. “It’s personally very humbling, I have worked with so many wonderful leaders throughout my educational career,” she said. “Over the last 17 years in the position as director, I have been in the privileged position to support and mentor many aspirant and newly appointed principals. “There is no more important job than to be a leader in a school, spanning many levels from leading in the classroom, teams, groups and across the school into leadership positions.” Ms Cuneo said the key to her success in the role was immersing herself in the community she is in. “I am motivated by a very powerful driver to ensure quality of education for all children in public schools, focused on the regions that I am responsible for,” the educator said. “In the past that was the Pilbara and South Metropolitan, and currently the South West region. “I have always made the personal decision to live in the region I lead, this has been hard for my family at times but I genuinely connect with and become devoted to the communities and families I serve.” Among the other nominees is a STEM teacher, an Aboriginal and Islander education officer in a remote school, an Aboriginal-English subject advocate and a coordinator for at-risk youth. The winner of the award will be announced at a International Women’s Day breakfast on March 18.