In support of World Teacher's Day

Media release

19 October 2007

In support of World Teacher's Day (Friday 26 October 2007)

Teachers celebrate excellence on World Teacher's Day

Spare a thought for teachers this Friday, when they, students and parents, celebrate World Teacher's Day, (subs 26 October).

For 271 Kiwi teachers the day is particularly special as they have been nominated for the NEiTA Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Awards. Now in their 13th year the awards have attracted 207 nominations for Excellence in Teaching and 64 for Excellence in Leadership, a new category this year.

Nominations for 53 early childhood teachers, 135 primary/intermediate teachers and 83 secondary teachers will now be assessed in the next stage of the awards process.

Northland parents chalked up 21 nominations, Auckland 86, Bay of Plenty 19, Gisborne 3, Hawkes Bay 3, Waikato 28, Wellington/Manawatu 24, Taranaki/Wanagnui 25, Canterbury West Coast 24, Nelson/Marlborough 9, and Otago/Southland 29.

Convenor of the NEiTA Foundation's selection panel, Brother Pat Lynch, says the nominations generally reflect the regional population concentration.

"We are thrilled with the numbers nominated, particularly for the new leadership category. Although all teachers have leadership skills, innovative leadership is vital for any school to serve the educational requirements of young people.

"Today students and their parents seek inspiration from teachers as young people reach out to establish their lives.

"Awards such as these - the NEiTA Foundation's Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Awards - recognise the skills in teachers that are most valued and needed by parents and students," said Pat Lynch.

The awards are jointly sponsored by ASG Education Programs New ZealandTM, a not-for-profit organisation which operates trans-Tasman assisting parents to plan for their children's future education, and Multiserve Education Trust, which for 18 years has provided a wide range of support services to schools and other education sector clients.

All teachers/leaders nominated have received Certificates of Nomination. Twenty area representatives will go forward to receive Regional Awards for Teaching and Leadership in Wellington next May (2008). From these, ten teachers/leaders will receive National Awards at their schools or centres later next year.

ENDS

© Scoop Media