Teaching awards acknowledge great teachers

Teaching is a vocation. Like parents, great teachers delight in the success of their children and students. The creative process brings much satisfaction and joy to the creator, whether it is the creation of a meal or the creation of an artistic masterpiece. Even though we might complain about the tedium of household chores like ironing, there is also satisfaction in the creation of a well-ironed garment from a mess of wrinkled fabric. Teachers help their students create themselves (Chemistry in Australia, 2012 (October), 37). Brian Schiller, the recipient of the 2014 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools, said “my great reward has always been in working with the children themselves, witnessing them interacting in wonder with the world around them and fuelling their high level of creativity and imagination”. Sir Thomas More: Why not be a teacher? You'd be a fine teacher. Perhaps a great one. Richard Rich: If I was, who would know it? You? Sir Thomas More: Your pupils, your friends, God. Not a bad public, that. ... And a quiet life. [From: A Man for All Seasons, by Robert Bolt, 1960] While the acknowledgement of personal achievements by a small circle of family, friends and community was sufficient for Robert Bolt’s character, Sir Thomas More, most people need occasional recognition of a job well-done. This is important for morale. And especially so for teachers, who are often under-valued by the wider Australian society. Geoff McNamara, the recipient of the 2014 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools, said “it’s a recognition that what we are doing here in public education is important and is valued”. Furthermore, Awards often give persuasive authority to recipients and empower them to continue to implement new ideas. Even more importantly, Awards indicate to other teachers that it is OK for them to follow and thus spread good teaching and learning practices.