Great teachers leave an impression that extends well beyond the subject they teach. They set high expectations, recognise potential in their students and find ways to make learning relevant to the world beyond the classroom.
For more than four decades, Judy Cropper, Tara’s Head of Food Technology and Hospitality, has done exactly that.
Judy has recently been named one of News Corp Australia’s Best Teachers 2026, a national recognition celebrating educators who have made an outstanding contribution to their students and school communities.
After 41 years at Tara, the recognition is a fitting acknowledgement of the expertise, commitment and genuine care Judy has brought to generations of Tara students.
Throughout her career, Judy has seen both education and the industries connected to her subjects change considerably. Rather than standing still, she has continued to evolve her teaching to ensure students develop relevant skills, industry knowledge and the confidence to put their learning into practice.
In 2001, Judy introduced Hospitality at Tara, creating another pathway for students to explore their interests and develop practical skills within a real-world context. Since then, she has guided students through the demands of HSC Hospitality, supporting strong academic outcomes while helping girls develop independence, organisation and professional standards they can carry into life beyond School.
Her influence, however, is perhaps best understood through the way students describe learning with her.
“Mrs Cropper believes in her students and wants to see us succeed. She celebrates when we do well, helps us learn when things don’t go to plan and makes us feel proud of what we can achieve.”
That combination of encouragement and high expectations is an important part of excellent teaching. Students need teachers who will support them, but also teachers who know when they are capable of more and are prepared to challenge them to reach it.
For Judy, learning has also extended beyond assessment tasks and examination results.
Through initiatives such as Dignity Dishes, students have used the practical skills developed through Food Technology and Hospitality to prepare meals for people experiencing need. Experiences like these give learning an immediate purpose. Students can see that the knowledge and capabilities developed in a classroom can also equip them to contribute meaningfully to the lives of others.
It is an approach that reflects the calibre of teaching we value at Tara.
Strong teachers bring deep knowledge of their discipline, but their impact comes from knowing how to share that knowledge with young people. They understand their students, create opportunities for them to apply what they are learning and continually refine their own practice.
Across Tara, our teaching staff bring this expertise to classrooms, laboratories, kitchens, studios, rehearsal spaces and sporting environments every day. Their influence can be seen not only in academic results or individual achievements, but in the confidence students develop to ask questions, attempt something difficult, respond to feedback and increasingly take responsibility for their own learning.
For families, the quality of teaching staff is one of the most important elements of a school education. Programs, facilities and opportunities all matter, but it is knowledgeable and committed teachers who help students make the most of them.
Judy’s national recognition provides an opportunity to celebrate one exceptional educator, while also recognising the professional expertise and dedication that exists across our teaching community.
After more than four decades at Tara, Judy continues to demonstrate the lasting difference a teacher can make when subject expertise is matched by genuine belief in students and a commitment to helping them succeed.
Congratulations, Judy, on this well-deserved recognition as one of Australia’s Best Teachers for 2026. We are incredibly proud to have you as part of the Tara community.