Search Begins for New Zealand’s Most Inspiring Teacher

05 August 2015

Search Begins for New Zealand’s Most Inspiring Teacher

Primary, early childhood, intermediate and secondary school teachers around the country will have the chance to be recognised and rewarded in a campaign which aims to find those who inspire their students the most.

Launching this month, the New Zealand’s Most Inspiring Teacher initiative was created by Warehouse Stationery as a chance for students, parents and families to acknowledge the important role teachers play in the lives of school-aged children and teenagers.

Teachers can be nominated for the title by anyone, and winning entries will be assessed by two expert judges - New Zealand Order of Merit recipient, scientist, and children’s charity founder Dr Michelle Dickinson aka Nano Girl; and University of Auckland School of Curriculum and Pedagogy lecturer and Woolf Fisher Research Centre researcher, Dr Aaron Wilson.

Prizes worth more than $40,000, including travel, stationery, furniture and technology, will be gifted to the teachers who are judged to be the most inspiring in the country. Schools of the winning teachers will also receive stationery prizes.

Dr Dickinson, who has co-founded a charity called OMG Tech which teaches exciting topics including 3D printing, coding, robotics and science to children of all ages and abilities, says the importance of recognising good teachers for their work cannot be underestimated.

“In visiting schools and working with kids all over New Zealand, I’ve seen how excited and enthusiastic children can be if they have a teacher or leader who takes the time to make learning interesting and really cares about the importance of their role,” says Dickinson.

“Having an inspirational teacher can open up so many different paths to Kiwi kids, and make them realise that anything really is possible.”

Dr Wilson, who was a teacher, head of department and assistant principal before joining the University of Auckland and the National Coordinator for the Secondary Literacy Project 2009-11, believes that New Zealand teachers are among the very best in the world and that high quality teaching is a vital part of ensuring children have the best start in life.

“Teaching can be a challenging job, but it’s essential that we take the time to acknowledge how important it is in helping New Zealand children have the tools they need to achieve their goals, particularly when it comes to literacy,” says Wilson.

“An initiative like this is a great way for students to say thank you to their teachers, and celebrate the vital work these people do in their everyday lives.”

The CEO of Warehouse Stationery, Pejman Okhovat says he hopes the campaign will give something back to the more than 50,000 teachers in New Zealand whose work may sometimes go under the radar.

“Many people remember a certain teacher who helped to inspire them to love a subject, or pursue a dream, which goes to show the long-lasting, positive impact those in the education system can have on us,” says Okhovat.

“As supporters of the important work teachers do, we are excited to give Kiwis the opportunity once again to thank them by voting and telling them how much they are appreciated.”

For more information on the campaign, see www.inspiringteachers.co.nz

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