Inspirational Teachers Matter - Australian Stars Announced

For Immediate Release:27 October 2008

Inspirational Teachers Matter - Australian Stars Announced
Celebrate teachers' contributions and achievements on World Teachers' Day on 31 October 2008

To coincide with Australia's celebration of World Teachers' Day, NEiTA (National Excellence in Teaching Awards) and the Australian Scholarships Group (ASG) have announced the names of the 60 Australian teachers to receive recognition through NEiTA's inaugural 2008 ASG Inspirational Teacher State and Territory Awards.

Showcasing the diversity of the teaching profession, the recognised inspirational teachers work across the spectrum of education sectors from early childhood to secondary education, teaching students with varied learning needs, in specialised subject areas using teaching processes that get results. Examples of the inspirational teachers' work include: taking their students and subjects into the wider community, contributing to the environment, re-engaging students, presenting real life learning experiences in the classroom, and connecting students to technological learning experiences.

"Teachers are at the heart of their students, centres or schools and communities and they are central in ensuring that young people achieve their potential," says NEiTA's Chairman, Terry O'Connell. "It is crucial work that deserves recognition at the very highest level in an increasingly complex, multicultural and technological society."

Of the 60 ASG Inspirational State and Territory Teacher Award recipients, 10 teach in early childhood, 30 in primary, and 20 in secondary school education. The breakdown by state, includes:
*Australian Capital Territory - four teachers (two - primary; two - secondary)
*New South Wales - 16 teachers (two - early childhood; eight - primary; six - secondary)
*Queensland - 10 teachers (two - early childhood; five - primary; three - secondary)
*Northern Territory - three teachers (one - early childhood; one - primary; one - secondary)
*South Australia - six teachers (one - early childhood; three - primary; two - secondary)
*Victoria - 10 teachers (two - early childhood; six - primary; two - secondary)
*Tasmania - four teachers (one - early childhood; two - primary; one - secondary)
*Western Australia - seven teachers (one - early childhood; three - primary; three - secondary)

(Please note: A list of the teachers recognised through NEiTA's 2008 ASG Inspirational Teacher State and Territory Awards is below. Further information, including individual profiles for each teacher can be found at www.neita.com/2008STAwards.htm)

UNESCO established World Teachers' Day in 1994 to celebrate the vital contribution that teachers make to education and development. In that same year, NEiTA's teaching awards program was also founded. The awards helped pioneer teacher recognition and appreciation, and today, enables the consumers of education - parents, committees, community organisations, and student councils - to nominate inspirational teachers for recognition.

Teachers Matter is the 2008 theme for World Teachers' Day, which is now celebrated in more than 100 countries around the world each year. Every day, in millions of classrooms around the world, both teaching and learning take place. The gift of learning and knowledge is passed from one generation to the next.

"Like NEiTA, World Teachers' Day celebrates the often-unsung contribution special teachers make to the lives of their students, parents, communities, and their profession," said NEiTA's Chairman, Terry O'Connell.

"While education issues and policies can divide public opinion, one matter that unites educationists, parents, and students in helping a child to learn is the importance of an inspirational teacher.

"I congratulate the award recipients on their exemplary classroom skills and innovative approaches to teaching. These 60 teachers recognised through the 2008 ASG Inspirational Teacher State and Territory Awards are examples of the magic that can happen when a teacher demonstrates passion, enthusiasm, and skill for the subject matter," Mr O'Connell said.

The 2008 ASG Inspirational Teacher State and Territory Award recipients will now be eligible to progress through to the next phase of the awards at the national level. Selected from the ASG Inspirational Teacher State and Territory Awards recipients, 10 teachers will receive National Awards commemorated with a specially crafted NEITA crystal apple award and a professional or project development grant of $5,000. National Awards will be granted across three categories: Community Engagement, Innovation, and Developing Student Resiliency. One National awardee will be selected as Australia's Inspirational Teacher to participate in the International Space Camp held in Alabama, USA, in July 2009.

The recently released results of a UK survey found that 76 per cent of respondents believed that an inspirational teacher had helped them succeed. Of these, 91 per cent said that a teacher had encouraged them to aim high and to achieve the best they possibly could.

Further information regarding NEiTA's 2008 ASG Inspirational Teacher State and Territory Award recipients and program are available by contacting NEiTA by phone on (03) 9276 7768 or 1800 624 487 or by email: [email protected] or visiting the NEiTA website: http://www.neita.com.au

(Please note: A list of the teachers recognised through NEiTA's 2008 ASG Inspirational Teacher State and Territory Awards is below. Further information, including individual profiles for each teacher can be found at www.neita.com/2008STAwards.htm)

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For further information, please contact:
Janet Thomas, Public Relations, ASG on behalf of NEiTA
Ph: (03) 9276 7758 Mob: 0402 837 758 Email: [email protected] Web: www.neita.com.au

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