Nominations are now open for the 2025 National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA), Australia’s longest continuing teacher recognition awards program.
NEiTA Foundation is encouraging parents, students, principals and schools to identify and nominate exceptional teachers who have displayed extraordinary enthusiasm, commitment and creativity for a prestigious National Excellence in Teaching Award.
The National Excellence in Teaching Awards is a community-centred awards program, started by NEiTA Foundation in 1994. Supported by Futurity Investment Group, the awards honour exemplary teaching in Australia.
Over the past 30 years, NEiTA Foundation has received more than 42,800 nominations and awarded more than $1.4 million in professional development grants, prizes and endowments to 1,110 exceptional educators.
NEiTA Foundation Chair, Ms Catherine O’Sullivan said the 2025 awards will recognise educators and school leaders who embody excellence.
“NEiTA nominees are inspirational, talented, committed and engaging teachers who are dedicated to their students, schools and the community,” Ms O’Sullivan said.
“Teachers and principals show our children what is possible. They inspire both from within and outside the classroom.
“A NEiTA nomination is the perfect way for parents and students to reward teacher quality, and to recognise inspirational educators, teachers and school principals.”
Ms Kerry Peacey, the Support Teacher for Inclusive Education at St John Fisher College in Brisbane, won both the Apple Award and Teacher Mentor Award at last year’s gala event.
“The recognition made me emotional. It meant a lot,” Ms Peacey said. “Teachers don’t often receive accolades, but when they do, it ripples out and touches the entire school community.”
“The best thing you can do is nominate a brilliant educator for a National Excellence in Teaching Award.”
Nominations are open until 27 June at www.neita.com.
Award categories
Seed Teams Award
Awards early childhood teams from Australia and New Zealand for foundational teaching, providing $10,000 for a professional development grant.
Apple Award
Recognises Australian and New Zealand primary and secondary teachers who exceed expectations, with the winners receiving a $5,000 professional development grant.
Leadership Award
Honours outstanding leadership by a principal or school leader awarding a $10,000 grant for advancing educational excellence.
The Terry O’Connell Regional and Remote Teachers’ Award
In memory of former NEiTA Foundation Chairman, this award is given to those who go the extra mile for their students in remote and regional areas of Australia.
NEiTA Trustees’ Alumni Award
An opportunity for a NEiTA past winner to win a further $10,000 professional development grant.
Powering Potential Award
In partnership with The Smith Family, awards teachers from The Smith Family partner schools who aide students experiencing disadvantage. A prize of $10,000 is awarded to the winner.
