Are you New Zealand's most inspiring teacher?

The search begins today to find New Zealand’s most inspiring teacher and recognise the thousands of teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty. 

To reward the astounding contribution of our nation’s teachers, Warehouse Stationery is calling for students and their parents to nominate teachers who always give 110 per cent.

This year builds on the phenomenal success of last year’s inaugural search, which attracted more than 1,100 entries nationwide. It was so successful that this year’s search has been extended to include Early Childhood teachers, as well as Primary and Secondary school teachers. 

“We all know how hard teachers work and we launched this competition last year as a means to recognise all those teachers who consistently go the extra mile to make learning-time a rich and rewarding experience,” says Cathy Atkins, Warehouse Stationery Head of Marketing. 

A survey* of 300 teachers found that nearly all of them work during the weekend, helping out at sports events, cultural groups, musical productions and use their spare time to catch up on the previous week. More than half of teachers surveyed also spent at least 10 hours a week after school catching up on marking, lesson plans and other administration.

The survey also found that most teachers spend their own money, over $400 on average, on school related expenses such as classroom stationery (71%), classroom art supplies (46%) and breakfast or lunch for needy students (20%).

Last year’s winner Robert Loretz, Massey High School’s head music teacher, believes irrespective of the time and money teachers spend, teaching is about sharing your passion and motivating students to find theirs.

“It’s one of the most special things to be recognised by your pupils and their parents.  A teacher is someone who 'shares the love’ – the love of their subject and their belief in their student's potential, in order to awaken the student to wonderful things in the world.

Thirty teachers from Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary schools will share in $30,000 worth of classroom supplies from Warehouse Stationery. One of these teachers will be named New Zealand’s Most Inspiring Teacher 2012 and receive a grand prize including a $5,000 holiday.

Recognising an inspirational teacher is easy and everyone who nominates a teacher goes into the draw to win a Samsung Galaxy 2 Tablet worth $559.

Simply visit www.inspiringteachers.co.nz before Friday 23rd September to find out more. Winners of the Warehouse Stationery’s Most Inspiring Teachers search will be announced on the 15th of October.

*A survey of 300 primary, intermediate and secondary school teachers throughout New Zealand was commissioned by Warehouse Stationery in August 2011.
ENDS

For more information and interviews please contact
Louisa Jones, Lassoo Media & PR, (09) 370 0425, louisa@lassoo.co.nz

Notes to editor: Teachers will be judged on the following criteria:
1. Drive
2. Enthusiasm
3. Creativity
4. Dedication
5. Other exceptional behaviour