Inspirational teachers’ day made better
2017 Award Winner Melanie Smith, Eynesbury Senior College, SA
Ten extraordinary primary and secondary school teachers have received a nice surprise with their students, colleagues and community anointing them as the winners of the 2017 A Day Made Better Teaching Awards.
The awards, developed by OfficeMax, recognise primary and secondary school teachers who go above and beyond for their students, received an overwhelming 50,000 nominations in the bid to find this year’s top 10 most inspiring teachers in Australia.
Students past and present, parents, family, friends, colleagues, principals and school administrators were called upon to nominate teachers who they believed positively influenced their students’ lives in the classroom and beyond.
Now in its seventh year, OfficeMax Sales and Marketing Director, Paul Munkley commented, “Once again, we’ve been overwhelmed by the number of genuine nominations we received. All of our winners inspire their students through outstanding learning programs and a tailored teaching approach to help build their skills and self confidence. It’s a privilege to be a part of something so encouraging and to see how so many teachers are making a difference in their local communities.”
Each of the winners will receive prizes for their classrooms worth over $5000, including office products provided by OfficeMax’s partners, and an Apple iPad.
Winners
- Bridgette Afuie, Hoppers Crossing Secondary College, VIC
- Jim Bailey, West Arnhem College, NT
- Elle Boller, John Paul II College, ACT
- Tracey Byrne, Narara Valley High School, NSW
- Petrina Cummins, Dalyellup Primary School, WA
- Helen Dawes, Bardon State School, QLD
- Ku Lacey, Rockhampton Girls Grammar School, QLD
- Ana Prior, New Town Primary School, TAS
- Alicia Taylor, Kensington Primary School, WA
- Melanie Smith, Eynesbury Senior College, SA