Held on World Teachers’ Day, the event recognised 57 teachers who have achieved higher levels of accreditation, in a celebration of their exemplary and innovative teaching practices.
The event also honoured the professional excellence of the state’s 170,000-strong workforce, bringing hundreds of teachers together to celebrate excellence amongst their peers, collaborate on teaching and learning practices, and share advice on the HALT accreditation process.
The event was the culmination of a three-week campaign led by NESA, that called on the community to share their own stories of inspiring teachers, for World Teachers Day.
Now, more than 6,000 messages have been shared on the NSW Teaching Gems map, with students past and present, parents and colleagues honouring educators who had an impact on their learning and lives.
Several teachers gave shout outs to their own primary and high school teachers, who inspired them to become teachers themselves; while primary school students thanked their teachers for helping them learn to read.
High school students recognised teachers who had engaged them in learning; parents celebrated the teachers who had supported their children in learning the basics and encouraging them to grow.
With 57 HALTs being recognised for their exemplary practice today, the messages are a clear indicator of the depth and breadth of outstanding and innovative education occurring daily, across the state.
HALT accreditation recognises highly effective and innovative teaching practices, that aim to enhance and improve learning across schools and early childhood services.
Of the 57 new HALTs, 10 teachers have benefited from applying under the simplified application model, introduced by NESA last year.
NSW now has 338 HALT accredited teachers, including our first early childhood teacher, in classrooms and early childhood services across the state.
The NSW community can join in on World Teachers Day celebrations by recognising a local teacher on the NSW Teaching Gems map,
Chief Executive Officer for New South Wales Education Standards Authority said:
“This World Teachers’ Day we are celebrating the backbone of education - teachers who drive improvements to student learning outcomes; who provide foundations for all future learning; and who create engaged community members and leaders.
“We were honoured to welcome the latest cohort of HALT accredited teachers and celebrate their excellence and achievement.
“The World Teachers’ Day campaign has clearly shown us that there are more teachers out there who demonstrate every day, that their practice aligns to the highest levels of accreditation.
“I encourage more teachers to pursue HALT accreditation. We have streamlined the application process, so teachers are supported each step of the way.
“Congratulations to you all, today we honour your contribution to education and our communities.”