Liana McCurry

Liana McCurry is a primary school educator who is passionate about improving learning outcomes for students in the area of maths. She teaches using an Explicit Direct Instruction and multisensory approach, which has seen dramatic improvements in student understanding of mathematical concepts and student achievement. Concepts are taught through small, scaffolded steps based on an I Do, We Do, You Do approach ensuring success for all students. In addition, interleaved practice is used where concepts studied are regularly reviewed, which supports students in retaining knowledge and making connections between concepts which deepens their understanding. 

Liana holds a Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies) and a Bachelor of Education (Junior Primary/Primary) from the University of South Australia. Wanting to gain a further understanding of best practice in delivering maths instruction to ensure success for all and improve student understanding, Liana completed a Master of Education in 2018. 

Liana McCurry was awarded Public Education SA’s Primary School Teacher of the Year in 2021 for her work in improving student outcomes in maths. She was also a finalist in the 2022 SA Premier’s Excellence Awards. Following these awards, Liana was invited to present at a Sharing Best Practice conference about her approach to teaching maths in the primary classroom. This conference was attended by a range of leaders and educators and her presentation received extremely positive feedback.  

The Churchill Fellowship project will investigate practices used in teaching mathematics to primary school students. The focus will be on countries that have performed well in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). The PISA is an assessment undertaken by a range of 15-year-old students across 80 countries to measure their ability to use their reading, mathematics and science knowledge to meet real-life challenges.  

Liana’s goal is in developing teacher capacity and knowledge to ensure that primary school mathematics is being delivered following evidence based best practice to enable success for all students.