Today, Commonwealth Bank and national education non-profit Schools Plus have opened nominations for the 2023 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards.
The 2023 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards will celebrate and reward 22 of our country's best teachers, who are transforming outcomes for their students and school communities. These include those working with First Nations communities, in regional, rural, and remote schools, and across the areas of wellbeing and core learning skills (literacy, numeracy and STEM).
Now in their seventh year, the prestigious awards are open to registered teachers and school leaders at all Australian primary and secondary schools and aim to celebrate both experienced and early career teachers.
Twelve outstanding educators will be selected to receive a prestigious Teaching Fellowship valued at $40,000, including $25,000 for a strategic school project and a unique 12-month professional learning program.
10 early career teachers with the potential to make a positive impact in education, will receive an ECT Scholarship valued at $10,000, including $5,000 for professional development and an exclusive learning and mentoring program thanks to support from Salesforce.
At last year's Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards event, Federal Minister for Education, Jason Clare, said: "It is the teachers who are the key makers, who open doors that would otherwise stay locked."
WA-based Marble Bar Principal and 2022 Teaching Fellowship recipient, Shane Wilson believes the award was integral in taking his remote school's unique Virtual Worlds program to the global stage. Blending virtual reality with local Indigenous knowledge, Mr Wilson's Virtual Worlds have since won science and technology prizes across Australia and the Asia-Pacific.
Mr Wilson said: "I never could have imagined what the Teaching Awards have done for Marble Bar's students and community. I am currently in Finland to present our Virtual Worlds work at the Future of Education conference, thanks to my Schools Plus Fellowship.
"It's great to see another group of educators get this life-changing opportunity. Please, if you know a teacher doing amazing things, send them a nomination. It could transform futures for them and their students!"
Nathan Barker, Head of Community Investment at Commonwealth Bank, said: "We are proud to present another year of the Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards, in collaboration with Schools Plus, and celebrate the inspiring educational talent we have in Australia.
"Australian educators have consistently demonstrated their dedication to developing the leaders of tomorrow. We look forward to learning about the innovative and industry-leading work done by teachers across Australia and wish the best of luck to all nominees," Mr Barker said.
Rosemary Conn, Chief Executive Officer at Schools Plus, said: "We are delighted to celebrate great teachers for the life changing impact they have on children and school communities. Schools Plus in partnership with Commonwealth Bank, is proud to support schools and teachers who have shown leadership, innovation, and incredible commitment to young people."
