Teacher gets a big tick

By Rebecca Fraser
NARRE Warren South teacher Sandy Chalmers is certainly a popular choice with parents and students.
Pleased parents at Strathaird Primary School have given the dedicated prep teacher the big tick of approval and nominated her for a National Excellence in Teaching Award (NEiTA) in the People’s Choice category.
This is the second year that Ms Chalmers has been nominated for the award that seeks to recognise teachers with exemplary classroom skills and dedication who have demonstrated innovative approaches to education.
Ms Chalmers has taught at Strathaird Primary school since it first opened its doors last year.
Prior to teaching primary classes she was an English as a second language teacher, sharing her skills with students in Japan and China.
The expectant mother will soon leave the school to take maternity leave and concedes she will miss teaching greatly.
Ms Chalmers said she loved being able to make a difference in the lives of young children and give them a strong foundation for their future.
“It’s the old cliché of being able to make a difference and help kids see their potential and do their best.
“Prep is the first opportunity to really get them off to a good start at school with reading and maths and their confidence, too,” she said.
Ms Chalmers said she was pleasantly surprised by this year’s nomination.
For Victoria, the NEiTA Foundation received a total of 150 from the national total of 1717 nominations.
NEiTA Foundation chairman Terry O’Connell said that the NEiTA Foundation was proud to call its program The People’s Choice teaching awards because it was the students, parents, and the community who were the real beneficiaries of great teaching.
“Teachers fulfil a vital role in building the nation’s future,” he said.
“Every time a child comes home from school having learnt something new, it is another step towards building a knowledgeable and tolerant society and a more skilful workforce.”
“I congratulate all award nominees and encourage them to move forward to the next phase of the awards.”