Media Release
PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS’ COUNCIL NEW SOUTH WALES
CONTACT: Kim Tsolakis (02) 97160378
23 October 2013
Celebration of Excellence
Friday 25 October 2013 is World Teachers’ Day and the Professional Teachers’ Council New South Wales (PTC NSW) seeks the support of the media in the recognition and celebration of our teachers and the teaching profession.
World Teachers’ Day is an important acknowledgement of the professionalism of teachers and their invaluable contribution to the future of our society through their professional teaching associations.
UNESCO first declared World Teachers’ Day in 1994. Since that time communities around the world have been honouring their teachers on this day.
“World Teachers’ Day is an opportunity to publically acknowledge the work of all teachers. It is also a time to express gratitude to the many volunteer teaching associations and show them how much they’re valued,” said Nerina Pretlove, President of the Professional Teachers’ Council NSW.
“It is the opportunity for the community to reflect on and acknowledge the vital and challenging work that all teachers do” she said.
In recognition of the outstanding work teachers undertake through their professional teaching associations the Professional Teachers’ Council NSW established the prestigious Exceptional Service Awards and the Outstanding Professional Service Awards as an acknowledgment of excellence in the profession.
These awards recognise the outstanding professional contribution to education made by teachers through professional teaching associations.
The following are some summary examples of the important and diverse work undertaken by the recipients:
Mr Matthew Esterman: Information Communication Technology Educators of NSW
Matthew has given freely of his time and expertise, through teacher in-service workshops, a coordinator and has been a focal point for Teach Meet gatherings throughout Australia.
Sharyn Stafford: English Teachers’ Association NSW
Sharyn had been an ETA stalwart in Coonabarabran where she took on a strong mentoring role with new and inexperienced teachers in outlying schools, generously providing ongoing support and resources.
Ms Toni Hurley: History Teachers Association of NSW
Toni has contributed to student achievement through her expertise as a teacher, editor, assessment expert and lecturer. Her contribution to ACARA’s Ancient History National Curriculum development was significant and ensured the integrity of the subject.
Dr Karen Maras: Visual Arts and Design Educators Association NSW
Karen has been instrumental in providing outstanding strategic leadership for professional development evidenced in VADEAs annual conference programs, in-service events, research symposiums, public forums, and resultant teacher resource publications. Karen is recognised as a leading voice in art education in NSW and nationally.
Brett McKay: Science Teachers Association of NSW
Brett has been instrumental in the success of the STANSW country program roadshow where he presents aspects of HSC Physics to both teachers and students. He has written numerous articles and reports in the STANSW professional journal, SEN.
The Professional Teachers’ Council NSW is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2013 awards.
LIST OF RECIPIENTS FOR 2013
2013 Outstanding Professional Service Award recipients:
| TITLE | NAME | SURNAME | ASSOCIATION |
| Mr | Cecil David | White | Asia Education Teachers’ Association |
| Mr | Brad | McAllister | Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation |
| Dr | Louisa | Peralta | Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation |
| Mrs | Jennifer | Murray | Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools Ltd, NSW Chapter |
| Dr | Sylvana | Augustyniak | Australian Society for Music Education NSW |
| Ms | Susan | Stewart | Careers Advisers Association of NSW and ACT Inc. |
| Ms | Denise | Kwong | Early Childhood Education Council of NSW Inc. |
| Mr | Joe | Alvaro | Economics and Business Educators NSW |
| Ms | Sharyn | Stafford | English Teachers’ Association NSW |
| Mr | Carl | Heise | English Teachers’ Association NSW |
| Mrs | Bronya | Thomas | English Teachers’ Association NSW |
| Ms | Beatriz | Cartlidge | History Teachers Association of NSW |
| Ms | Toni | Hurley | History Teachers Association of NSW |
| Ms | Kathleen | Moss | Home Economics Institute Australia (NSW Division) |
| Mr | Matthew | Esterman | Information Communication Technology Educators of NSW |
| Mrs | Henrietta | Miller | Information Communication Technology Educators of NSW |
| Ms | Julie | Logan | Kodaly Music Education Institute of Australia NSW Br Inc. |
| Mr | Michael | O’Connor | Marine Teachers’ Association of NSW |
| Mrs | Susan | Turnbull | Metropolitan East Social Science Teachers’ Association |
| Mrs | Kerry | Horder | Metropolitan East Social Science Teachers’ Association |
| Ms | Amber | Thomas | Orff Schulwerk Association of NSW |
| Ms | Jo | McLean | PDHPE Teachers’ Association |
| Ms | Maree | Woods | Science Teachers Association of NSW |
| Mr | Brett | McKay | Science Teachers Association of NSW |
| Ms | Nyree | Waterson | Technology Educators Association NSW |
| Ms | Leslee | Wheeler | Technology Educators Association NSW |
| Mrs | Heather | Weber | The Mathematical Association of NSW |
| Dr | Michael | Cavanagh | The Mathematical Association of NSW |
| Mr | Gregory | Murty | The Mathematical Association of NSW |
| Dr | Karen | Maras | Visual Arts and Design Educators Association NSW |
| Mrs | Karen | Profilio | Visual Arts and Design Educators Association NSW |