Category information
The Victorian Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award is presented to a teacher/trainer or a team or group of teachers/trainers, for a demonstrated outstanding contribution to the enhancement of vocational education and training.
The winner or winning team is awarded $10,000 and is recognised as the best in Victoria’s world-class training system.
Nominations can be made by Registered Training Organisations, client organisations, colleagues, professional bodies and networks, and students.
How to Apply
Visit the how to apply page on this site for information on applying for this award.
Eligibility and Conditions
Candidates for the award must be teachers/trainers employed by a current Victorian Registered Training Organisation for all or part of the period between 1 July 2008 – 30 June 2009. Candidates may be individuals, teams or groups of teachers/trainers.
You must also agree to the full Conditions of Entry found on this site.
Criteria
Preparing your application
Applications are to be in 12 pt font and a maximum of five (5) A4 pages plus five (5) pages in attachments (no more than 10 pages in total).
Any material in excess of 10 pages will not be forwarded to the judging panel.
The award criteria should be the focus of your application, however any relevant evidence may be provided so long as it does not exceed the required page limit.
Section A: Overview
Provide an overview of the teacher/trainer areas of expertise, courses/classes taught, education and work background, a description of the environment in which the teacher/trainer operates and specific challenges which may have had to be overcome during the course of teaching/training.
Section B: Applicants will be judged against the following criteria
- Criterion 1: Excellence and innovation
- Criterion 2: Student focus
- Criterion 3: Professionalism and commitment to VET teaching and learning
- Criterion 4: Links with industry or community
Addressing the criteria
When developing your application against the award criteria, you may wish to take into account some of the considerations outlined below, if they are relevant to your experience. These suggestions are not additional criteria, but are provided to give clarification of what may be relevant to include when writing against the award criteria.
Please use specific examples demonstrating excellence and innovation in developing the application.
1. Excellence and innovation
Consider:
- contribution to the improvement of the Victorian training system, through sharing teaching practices and displaying leadership
- contribution to a body of knowledge, through articles, speaking engagements or visits to other organisations
- results for students/clients, including unexpected results, or results having industry-wide or community-wide significance
- ability to work outside area of experience and move into different roles
- innovative methods of instruction and communication
- implementation of Information Communication Technology, for example e-learning.
2. Student focus
Consider:
- systems and processes for collecting information on student needs and satisfaction
- how the teacher/trainer caters for all students including those with special needs, such as Indigenous students, students with disabilities, students from a non-English speaking background, students in remote areas, gifted and talented students
- student testimonials.
3. Professionalism and commitment to VET teaching and learning
Consider:
- engaging with other professionals
- convening subject development group
- association memberships
- referee reports
- maintaining ethical standards
- building, participating in networks
- contribution to the maintenance of particular initiatives that support teaching and learning
- acting as mentor/guide for others.
4. Links with industry or community
Consider:
- industry activities/testimonials
- community activities/testimonials
Nomination Form
Download the Teacher/Trainer Nomination Booklet (PDF 65KB)
What assistance can I get to write my application?
For tips on how to write your application contact your nominators for guidance and download the:
Checklists
Nomination Checklist
Before you submit your nomination, make sure you check the following:
- Have you used 12 point font only?
- Is your application ten (10) A4 pages long, including attachments?
- Has an official nomination form been filled in and attached?
- Have you read and agreed to the conditions of entry?
- Have you provided 10 copies of your application and nomination form?
Criteria Checklist
Have you answered all of the following criteria?
- Criterion 1: Excellence and innovation
- Criterion 2: Student focus
- Criterion 3: Professionalism and commitment to VET teaching and learning
- Criterion 4: Links with industry or community
2009 Finalists