Educator gives out a lesson

Having quality teachers and principals in Australia's schools is the key challenge for education in the future, one of the nation's leading educators has warned.

Therese Temby, who began her career teaching at a Wheatbelt secondary school, said education has been her lifelong passion.

That passion has driven her to take up some of Australia's top education roles, including chairwoman of the National Catholic Education Commission.

Mrs Temby, 69, who lives on a farm near Collie with her husband Colin, said ensuring quality teachers and leaders in schools was a "significant, ongoing challenge".

"The teacher is the most significant difference for a child in a school and so, for me, quality teachers are the single most important thing but quality leaders, principals, come behind that," she said.

"I really think school educators need to do all they can to continue to develop quality teachers and leaders."

Mrs Temby becomes an Officer in the General Division for her distinguished service to education and community health.

"I was surprised but it's exciting to think there is recognition for work in education and health care," she said.

Angela Pownall