But it was the role students had in the Dean of Gifted and Talented students winning the prestigious Keith Frampton Award, that pleased Mrs Burton most.

"The fact that current and past students got together because they felt the desire to recommend me for the award really gave me a warm feeling inside," she said.

"Students and past coaches wrote some very kind recommendations nominating me to the international association. It was much appreciated."

Mrs Burton's role involves mentoring students as they develop solutions to significant issues facing the world and over the last 10 years she has coached various TIGS teams to victory in Australia and at the world championships.

This was enough to be announced joint Keith Frampton Award winner with Debby Benzinger from Washington, US in a competition which draws in 23,000 students from 13 countries.

TIGS principal Judi Nealy said students participated in the Future Problem Solving competition because it was an incredible learning opportunity for them to apply their knowledge to real problems and develop the skills necessary to succeed at university and in the workforce.

"We are delighted that Jean has been recognised for her dedication to her students as they develop solutions and present their findings to a national and international audience," she said.

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Year 12 student Nicole Russo was also a fan.

She described Mrs Burton as a teacher whose "unequivocally good character has inspired me to want to help people as a career as, although she may not know, her ability as a teacher and coach as well as her warm nature continues to benefit students every day to grow and reach their full potential."