Outstanding educators honoured with prestigious national Awards

By EducationHQ News Team
Published September 12, 2024

Twenty-two outstanding teachers and school leaders from across Australia have been recognised at the 2024 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards, presented by Schools Plus.

The 22 winners who gathered in the nation’s capital last night were chosen from a group of over 300 educators shortlisted for the Awards.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare presented their Awards at a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra, where 12 exceptional and experienced teachers received the coveted Teaching Fellowship award, and ten of the recipients were acknowledged with an Early Career Teaching (ECT) scholarship.

Now in its eighth year, the Awards, presented by Schools Plus, showcase outstanding educators who are pioneering innovative learning initiatives which set up students for future success, empowering children and young people across Australia to excel in school and in life.

Valued at $40,000, each Teaching Fellowship includes $25,000 to fund a strategic school project as well as a 12-month professional development program, comprising coaching and engagement with leading education experts, to further develop these teachers’ skills, networks and capabilities.

The Early Career Teaching Award celebrates 10 teachers who have demonstrated remarkable leadership and innovation within the first five years in their profession.

ECT recipients receive a scholarship worth $10,000, including a study tour to high performing schools in Australia, an exclusive leadership and mentoring program and $5000 for professional development of their choosing.

Shortlisted from more than 300 educators Australia-wide, this year’s recipients were noted for their ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion, creating equitable learning opportunities and ensuring all students, regardless of background or ability, can succeed.

They include a literacy specialist working with children with complex needs in West Arnhem Land whose high-impact literacy strategies are resulting in school-wide improvement, a maths teacher from Burnie, Tasmania enhancing numeracy skills across five schools with innovative approaches, and a science teacher in Cobram, Victoria, who’s been getting busy inspiring his regional students to reach for the stars, and in the process has improved student engagement and academic outcomes.

Having previously worked in roles including as a case manager at a humanitarian organisation, and a consultant at Nous, Northern Territory Deputy Principal Dev Tiwari is now forging a fine career in education.

Many teachers were chosen for their unique approach in the classroom, transforming learning and outcomes for students through an emphasis on wellbeing, strengthening family and community engagement, and a passion for developing the literacy, numeracy and STEM skills needed for future success.

In his speech at Parliament House, Minister Clare referred to Katherine High School Deputy Principal and ECT Award recipient Dev Tiwari, who has changed careers into education.

He quoted the school leader’s description of his new role.

“You have the chance to be directly contributing to Australia’s future,” Tiwari was quoted as saying.

“While you may think you will ‘just’ be an educator of three-four classes, you are part of a massive team that has the capacity to shape Australia’s social and economic prosperity.”

Minister Clare agreed wholeheartedly.

“That’s why this is the most important job in the world,” he said.

“Because of the power you have to change, not just the lives of your students, but the lives their families will have, the sort of communities they will live in, the sort of country we become.

“This is what we are celebrating tonight.”

Schools Plus CEO Sherrill Nixon said it was an honour to see the Awards come to life for the eighth consecutive year.

“Schools Plus aims to ensure every child has the right to the same opportunities so they can thrive in school and beyond,” Nixon said.

“This year’s award winners have redefined what it means to lead in education, setting a new standard in learning and improving children’s wellbeing in urban, rural, regional and remote communities and with First Nations children across the country.”

As Assistant Principal for the Gateway Learning Community of Public Schools in the Hunter region, Caz Wilson's tireless work has helped to enable early identification of students with additional needs, improving pre-enrolment information by up to 95 per cent in its first year and growing early identifications by more than 400 per cent across participating schools.

Minister Clare said the Awards’ presentation night is the highlight of his year.

“We get a chance to see some of the greatest teachers in this country being recognised for the incredible work they do in changing children’s lives every day,” he said.

Nathan Barker, Head of Community Investment at Commonwealth Bank, said the Awards recognise the extraordinary work of some of Australia’s most innovative educators.

“Their dedication to shaping and nurturing the next generation is inspirational,” Barker said.

The 2024 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Award winners are:

Teaching Fellows: