Change the future for Kiwi kids

Change the future for Kiwi kids today
Your chance to nominate and acknowledge a great teacher or leader
in your school community

Parents and secondary school students can now recognise great teachers -those who are making a positive change in the development and knowledge of today’s students; tomorrow’s adults. Nominations have opened for the 2009-2010 round of the National Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Awards.

Terry O’Connell, chairman of the NEiTA Foundation, says we all understand and accept that children respond to praise and encouragement.

“In the business world and sporting arena we acknowledge the skills of employees, team members and participants. What is so different about teachers?

“If we want to have an impact on the future of our children, we must take action now. These awards, which have been part of the New Zealand education scene for 13 years, are an ideal opportunity to show great teachers and leaders in our school communities that we appreciate them.

“NEiTA aims to acknowledge and honour teachers and leaders and the valuable role they play, and to also build the status of the profession, encouraging talented students to seriously consider teaching as a career,” says Mr O’Connell.

Over 2,500 early childhood education, primary, intermediate and secondary school teachers have been nominated for the awards over the last 13 years.

The NEiTA awards are jointly sponsored by ASG Education Programs New Zealand TM, a not-for-profit organisation which operates trans-Tasman assisting parents to plan for their children’s future education, and Cognition Education Ltd1, a provider of a wide range of support, services and consultation provisions to schools and education sector clients in New Zealand and internationally.

All teachers/leaders nominated receive a Certificate of Nomination, with 20 area representatives selected to go forward to receive Regional Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Leadership in Wellington next May. From these, ten teachers/leaders will receive National Awards at their schools or centres later next year.

National awardees will receive professional development grants from a pool totalling $35,000. Two $5,000 and three $2,500 grants will each be made for excellence in teaching and for excellence in leadership.

Although nominations are open until 31 August 2009, Mr O’Connell encourages parents and secondary school students to get nominations in as soon as possible.

Nomination forms can be completed online or forms can be downloaded from the NEiTA website www.neita.co.nz Forms are also available at schools and early childhood education centres nationwide, libraries, or can be obtained by contacting the NEiTA Foundation on
09 308 0576 or email mventer@asg.co.nz

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