ROTARY ACKNOWLEDGES OUTSTANDING TEACHERS
The pandemic sent everyone into a spin where suddenly, we were all forced to adapt to a socially isolated world. At lightning speed, teachers adopted new modes of teaching that embraced the family unit. It was uber timely that Rotary Club of Altona City established the Hobsons Bay Rotary Teacher Awards program in 2018. Focusing on early career stage teachers, experienced teachers, and teams, the awards recognize and encourage outstanding performance in local schools.
Award founder, Past District Governor and Assistant Principal Baden Powell College, Julie Mason says that it’s never been more important to support and honour teachers.
“The requirements we’ve put on teachers in the COVID environment have been extraordinary so it’s particularly relevant to acknowledge their work. Teachers had to pivot between onsite and remote learning while supporting student's families and in many cases, having to home-school their own children."
The Zoom award ceremony took place, 18 October, 2021. It was a powerful event telling stories of passion, dedication and relationship building that went beyond the student teacher relationship and into the families.
Julie Mason says there’s a great synergy between the education sector and Rotary- acting with integrity, giving service and demonstrating leadership.
“Both institutions are involved in developing student agency and leadership. We all want students to thrive. Our self-sacrificing teachers went beyond expectations in a crisis situation to achieve this.”
“Both institutions are involved in developing student agency and leadership. We all want students to thrive. Our self-sacrificing teachers went beyond expectations in a crisis situation to achieve this.”
Rotary aims to become more aligned with education and foster opportunities for increased collaboration between Rotary and schools. This will increase Rotary visibility and hopefully attract new members.
