FROM a young age Owen Bonney felt the desire to help others.

Through this desire he became inspired to become a teacher.

Mr Bonney has recently been announced as a finalist in the 2013 ASG National Excellence in Teaching Awards for inspirational educators, which is something he is humbled by.

"I'm so thankful to those who have supported me and nominated me for the award," Mr Bonney said.

Teachers who are nominated have the chance of going on to the state and territory awards and then to the national awards.

Amazing professional development and project grants are up for grabs, as well as one national award recipient getting the opportunity to go to Space Camp in the US.

Currently Mr Bonney runs the Southern Downs Flexible Learning Hub that helps youth who are unable to cope with standard school environments.

"Some of our students can't cope with normal education because of issues like bullying, mental health, aggression, low self-esteem and poor academic performance," Mr Bonney said.

"But having personally experienced many issues in my life I see the key strategy with these students is re-establishing genuine relationships with them.

"I've experienced cancer, chronic subdural hematoma, epilepsy and other issues that have allowed me to empathise with young people in trouble," he said.

Mr Bonney said his method of teaching is about helping students enhance their lifestyle and gain skills for future employment.

"We find out what they like and go from there," Mr Bonney said. "Some of the youth that come here don't have a dream, but if you don't have a dream you're not going anywhere in life.

While Mr Bonney has been an educator for over 35 years he views some of his achievements in the past decade as some of his highest accomplishments.

"In 2008 I established Bonney's Tutorials which was pretty special," he said.

"In 2010 I was awarded a state award from the Queensland Department of Communities for a person with a disability performing a community service.

"Earlier this year I was nominated for Australian of the Year for my work with disengaged youth," he said.

Although Mr Bonney has had an inspiring career he feels the development of the Southern Downs Flexible Learning Hub is the one of which he is most proud.

"We've got a really great thing going here," he said.

"It's a unique co-ed, non-graded hub for students which is really changing lives."