The Smith Family and the NEiTA Foundation have partnered to celebrate and reward remarkable teachers who are working to help children experiencing disadvantage achieve their potential.
For the past 27 years, the National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA), supported by Futurity Investment Group, has recognised Australia and New Zealand’s most inspirational educators.
Since 2004, The Smith Family has been Futurity’s key charity partner. Through a new Award for Powering Potential, this year NEiTA and The Smith Family together will give two amazing educators (one primary, one secondary) a $10,000 grant from the NEiTA Foundation, and publicly recognise their extraordinary contribution to the education of students experiencing disadvantage.
The Smith Family’s Acting CEO, Judy Barraclough said supporting a child’s education is the best way to help break the cycle of disadvantage.
“The Smith Family is committed to improving the long-term educational outcomes of young Australians living in disadvantage,” Barraclough said.
“With dedicated teams and evidence-based programs, The Smith Family works directly with students and their families, teachers and school leaders, to improve education outcomes and so that young people can create better futures for themselves.
“We recognise teachers as key change-agents in all of our partner schools. This year we are thrilled to inaugurate with NEiTA Foundation and Futurity a special award to highlight these contributions.”
NEiTA Foundation Chairman, Allen Blewitt said NEiTA allows school communities to nominate outstanding educators who have displayed exceptional creativity and commitment in the past year.
“There are thousands of talented, dedicated and caring teachers in classrooms all over Australia, and they deserve to be recognised,” Blewitt said.
“Education changes lives but the best teachers truly transform futures and that’s exactly what teachers helping Australia’s most vulnerable students do on a daily basis.
“I’m thrilled we have partnered with The Smith Family to celebrate these teachers for powering the potential of all students.”
Nominating a teacher (or principal) for a NEiTA Award is the perfect way for students, parents, educators and principals shine a light on an extraordinary teacher.
Nominations in the Secondary, Primary and Early Childhood categories of the 2021 NEiTA Awards can be made until 18 August 2021 at www.neita.com.