2025 TASITE/ACS Digital Technologies Secondary Educator of the Year

Jacaleen Cruse’s recognition as the 2025 TASITE/ACS Secondary Digital Technologies Teacher of the Year reflects more than two decades of dedication to evolving, innovating, and leading in Technologies education across Tasmania.

Currently teaching at the Tasmanian eSchool, Jacaleen delivers Science, Digital Technologies, and Mathematics to students from Prep to Year 8 in an online and distance learning environment. In 2025, she expanded her impact by leading the introduction of two new senior secondary subjects, Food & Fibre and Design & Technologies, while also stepping into the role of Technologies Curriculum Leader. In this position, she supports and mentors teachers across Years 3–12, strengthening Digital Technologies teaching practice across the state.

Jacaleen’s national influence is equally significant. In 2023, she was selected as one of just 14 Digital Technologies Hub Champions across Australia. Through this role, she contributed to the design of curriculum resources, including scope and sequence documents, lesson examples, and concept infographics, helping shape high-quality Digital Technologies education nationwide.

A defining feature of Jacaleen’s work is her commitment to overcoming the challenges of distance education. Recognising the importance of hands-on learning, she secured funding to introduce physical computing tools such as micro:bits, Spheros, and LEGO Mindstorms into the online environment. This innovation has enabled students across Tasmania to engage in meaningful, practical STEM experiences, both online and during face-to-face learning opportunities.

Her leadership extends into professional learning and advocacy. Jacaleen has presented at the Australasian Association of Distance Education Schools (AADES) Conference and contributed to Questacon’s Engineering is Elementary (EiE) network, mentoring teachers and sharing strategies for embedding authentic, hands-on STEM learning. Her work has been recognised nationally, with a forthcoming case study highlighting her approach to engaging diverse learners.

Innovation remains central to Jacaleen’s practice. She played a key role in developing the eSchool Technologies library, providing equitable access to technology kits for distance learners and even extending this support to students in hospital settings. In 2025, she was also selected to represent Tasmania in an Australia–New Zealand Community of Practice on Artificial Intelligence, where she is helping educators build confidence in using and teaching AI.

Through her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to equity, Jacaleen has made a profound impact on Digital Technologies education, ensuring that all students—regardless of location or circumstance—can access meaningful, engaging, and future-focused learning.