Victorian Local Communities Nominate Great Teachers For NEiTA People's Choice Te

Heart-warming stories about the amazing contribution Victorian teachers make to their education communities and the lives of their students and families have flooded into the NEiTA Foundation in response to its call for teaching nominations from students, parents and the community for its national teaching awards program.

For Victoria, the NEiTA Foundation received a total of 150 from the national total of 1717 nominations:

116 for the NEiTA Teaching Excellence Awards that recognise teachers with exemplary classroom skills and dedication who have demonstrated innovative approaches to teaching, and

34 for the Australian Scholarships Group Community Merit Awards that honour teachers who have engaged their students in activities that are of service to the community, and /or who have provided the local community with the opportunity to support and participate in the work of the school or centre.

A list of Victorian teachers and their early childhood centres and schools is attached along with a table detailing the nomination breakdown by state and category. Please contact the school for further information about teachers who have received nominations.

Members of the early childhood, school, and local communities nominate teachers for the NEiTA Foundation's Awards program for one or more of the following five reasons:
1. Teachers do amazing work every day in our schools and early childhood centres and few opportunities exist to thank them publicly for their contribution.
2. A great teacher is an inspiration to generations of current and future teachers.
3. Nominations keep the focus on high standards of education in our schools and early childhood centres.
4. Grants and prizes promote professional development.
5. Above all, it's a great way to say thank you and celebrate the NEiTA Award nomination within the whole centre or school community.

NEiTA Foundation Chairman, Terry O'Connell said that the NEiTA Foundation is proud to call its program The People's Choice teaching awards because it is the students, parents, and the community who are the real beneficiaries of great teaching.

"Teachers fulfil a vital role in building the nation's future," he said, "every time a child comes home from school having learnt something new, it is another step towards building a knowledgeable and tolerant society, and a more skilful workforce."

Launched in Australia in 1994 by the Australian Scholarships Group and now in its 13th year, the NEiTA Foundation's teaching awards program and grants aim to encourage all teachers to higher levels of excellence and commitment, and to attract bright young minds to the profession to become the calibre of educators our children deserve.

"The nomination of a teacher or teaching team from local community schools and centres pays tribute to the organisation's supporting environment and network that makes great teaching and learning possible," Terry O'Connell said.

"I congratulate all award nominees and encourage them to move forward to the next phase of the Awards - the completion of their self-portrait forms by 4 September 2006.

Since the NEiTA awards were initiated, more than 16,000 nominations have been received. More than $600,000 has been distributed in ASG grants for professional development, with additional prizes and endowments organised in conjunction with partners and sponsors.

As the major sponsor of the NEiTA Foundation's Awards program, the Australian Scholarships Group supports the holistic provision of a range of programs and services to support families in encouraging their children to gain a complete education. This year, the organisation will provide $80,000 in grants for professional development to award recipients.

Next stages of the NEiTA Awards Program, includes:

Level 2 - ASG Community Merit Awards
ASG Community Merit Awards will be presented to up to 80 teachers nationally during October and November 2006 in recognition of their work in linking schools with their local communities.

Level 2 - NEiTA Teaching Excellence Awards
NEiTA Teaching Excellence Awards will be presented to 50 teachers nationally during October and November in recognition of their exemplary classroom skills and innovative approaches to teaching.

Level 3 - National Awards and Grants
In 2007, the NEiTA Foundation will present 15 National Awards at a gala function. Each will receive a specially crafted NEiTA crystal apple award and a professional or project development grant of $5,000.

The NEiTA Foundation awards program offers a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of a special teacher. More information can be obtained from the NEiTA Foundation's website at: www.neita.com or by calling the free help line on 1800 624 487.