Enter the National Teacher Awards
Objectives
The National Teacher Awards are an initiative to promote excellence in the teaching profession by providing South African communities an opportunity to honour talented, inspiring and dedicated teachers. The key objectives of the Awards are to:
Recognise and promote excellence in teaching performance.
Honour dedicated, creative and effective teachers.
Encourage best practice in schools.
Boost teacher morale.
Afford South Africans an opportunity to publicly say thank you to outstanding teachers.
Categories and Awards
* Categories
Recognition will be given to the following categories:
Lifetime achievement.
Excellence in school leadership.
Teacher of the year.
Excellence in early childhood development (ECD).
Special needs teaching.
* Awards
Cash awards ranging from R2 500 to R10 000 will be made to the schools of the winning candidates.
Winning teachers will receive certificates of recognition and an opportunity for professional development.
General criteria
Nominations will be assessed on the basis of the following general criteria:
Enthusing and engaging learners in the process of learning.
Contributing to the ethos and morale of the school.
Contributing to both curricular and extra-curricular activities at the school.
Communicating effectively with and responding to parents.
Confronting challenges such as:
Poor facilities and inadequate resourcing
Diversity
HIV/AIDS
Alcohol and drug abuse
Crime and gangsterism
Specific criteria
Lifetime achievement
Sustaining a high level of achievement and commitment throughout a long teaching career.
Encouraging learners to expect the best of themselves.
Earning the respect of learners, colleagues and the community.
As a principal or vice-principal, demonstrating positive and clear leadership in directing and guiding the school community.
Teacher of the year
Engaging learners through the imaginative implementation of innovative teaching methods to enhance the learning environment.
Contributing to the personal development of learners by communicating with them effectively about their performance and progress.
Adopting learning and teaching strategies to meet the needs of individual learners effectively.
Excellence in ECD
Encouraging young learners to become independent and confident.
Fostering links between the school and the community.
Establishing working partnerships with other sectors to the benefit of learners.
Excellence in school leadership
Demonstrating positive and clear leadership in directing and guiding the school community.
Creating a stimulating and supportive environment within the school.
Inspiring, encouraging and empowering staff to be creative and to take initiative.
Excellence in special needs education
Applying learning and teaching strategies to meet the needs of individuals effectively.
Communicating learners’ progress effectively with both learners and their families.
Preparing learners to cope in broader society.
Eligibility
A nominee should:
Be a serving, full-time or part-time educator at a public school.
Nominations
Nominations must be submitted by the School Governing Body (SGB) on behalf of the school.
The SGB must complete and submit the attached forms to their nearest circuit office by not later than 31 August 2000.
Process
Judging and awards ceremonies will take place at regional, provincial and national levels.
A firm of auditors will oversee the process.
A NOMINATION IS AN HONOUR.
Bring honour to your school and say thank you to all the dedicated and inspiring educators who are making a difference in our schools.
If you have any questions on the National Teacher Awards, please contact the Department of Education at tel (012) 312 5369
You are also welcome to phone your provincial department of education:
Northern Province : 015 297 0110
Eastern Cape : 040 635 0357
North West : 018 290 9415
Northern Cape : 053 839 9528
Western Cape : 012 403 6064
Gauteng : 011 355 0811
Mpumalanga : 013 249 8611
KwaZulu-Natal : 035 874 3418
Free State : 051 404 8176
— The Teacher/Mail & Guardian, August 16, 2000.
M&G Supplements