GUIDELINES. Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank Early Childhood Teacher of the Year PURPOSE OF THE AWARDS KEY DATES

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1 GUIDELINES Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank Early Childhood Teacher of the Year PURPOSE OF THE AWARDS The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development recognises the importance of early childhood educators in the lives of Victorian children and their families, and their vital role in engaging and motivating children in lifelong learning. Recent international research provides compelling evidence that teacher quality is a very important determinant of children s learning and development. All members of the public are eligible to nominate an exceptional education professional for a Victorian Education Excellence Award such as parents, colleagues and the wider school community. The Victorian Education Excellence Awards showcase the outstanding achievements and practice of teachers, leaders and education support staff in Victorian government schools and state government funded kindergarten programs. The awards have been offered annually since This will be the sixth year that the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is inviting applications for the Early Childhood Teacher of the Year (formerly known as the Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher Award), sponsored by the Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank. KEY DATES 2014 SELECTION PROCESS TIMELINE Nominations/Applications open Tuesday 17 December 2013 Applications close Friday 28 February 2014 Finalists notified Mid April

2 ABOUT THE VICTORIA TEACHERS MUTUAL BANK EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD The Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank Early Childhood Teacher of the Year award recognises the professionalism and expertise of an innovative early childhood teacher who has demonstrated exemplary teaching practice, and made a significant contribution to developing and/or delivering a quality kindergarten program. The value of the Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank Early Childhood Teacher of the Year award is $10,000. Please refer to the section titled Winning the Award for further information regarding award monies. APPLICATION PROCESS Applicants for this award can be either self-nominated or nominated by members of the general public. The application form contains three key sections, all of which must be completed online at The three key sections of the application are: Section 1: Nominating Statement This is an introductory statement of up to 250 words, summarising why the applicant is a suitable candidate for this award. The Nominating Statement is completed by the person who nominates the candidate or by the candidate themselves, if they are self-nominating. The Nominating Statement should also outline the applicant's current role as an early childhood teacher, their major achievements, special focus areas and the socioeconomic context of their early childhood setting. Section 2: Professional Statement This is an extended statement of between 1200 and 1500 words, demonstrating the applicant's professional excellence by providing evidence of exemplary and innovative teaching practice that has led to improved learning outcomes for children in their kindergarten program. The Professional Statement is completed by the applicant only. 2

3 Applicants for this award should structure their Professional Statement according to three selection criteria. These criteria for demonstrating excellence are based on the Early Childhood Teacher Professional Standards, which apply to all teachers engaged in the delivery of funded kindergarten programs in Victoria. These selection criteria are as follows: 1. Professional knowledge How your practice is informed by theories of teaching, learning and development and family-centred practice. 2. Professional practice How you have demonstrated exemplary teaching practice to support children s learning. 3. Professional engagement and commitment How you have demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional learning, and provided educational leadership within your service, cluster, network or community. Section 2A: Professional Learning Proposal This is a brief statement of no more than 250 words, outlining the focus of the professional learning to be undertaken if the applicant is successful in winning the award. Section 3: Professional Endorsement In support of an application, the contact details of two professional referees must be provided. One of these referees may be the person who nominated the applicant, if applicable. Suitable referees for this award include: a kindergarten cluster manager; an early childhood service director or manager; a member of the committee of management; or a senior colleague. If the applicant is shortlisted, referees may be contacted by telephone by a member of the selection panel. As a general guide, if contacted, referees should focus on the applicant s achievements to date and why the applicant is an outstanding candidate for this award. 3

4 RESOURCES In preparing their application, applicants may wish to refer to the following: The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework Transition: A Positive Start to School Initiative Early Childhood Teacher Professional Standards National Quality Standard WINNING THE AWARD The Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank Early Childhood Teacher of the Year award provides $10,000 to the cover the costs of professional learning activities to be undertaken by the award recipient. The proposed activities should address an identified need, and be aimed at improving teaching practice and early years learning and development within the recipient s professional community. All professional learning activities associated with the award should be completed by 31 December The winner of this award will be required to submit a detailed proposal, outlining their plans for further research or project work, investigation or professional learning which will enhance their professional practice. The awarding of prize money will be contingent upon submission of this proposal. One member of the winning team is also entitled to one year s free membership with the Australian College of Educators (Victorian Chapter). Further details will be available to the winner of this award. ELIGIBILITY All early childhood teachers currently employed as a teacher in an approved education and care service, licensed children s service or school that receives state government funding to provide a kindergarten program are eligible to apply. This includes funded kindergarten programs in a wide variety of settings, including standalone kindergartens, long day care centres, children s centres, school or early childhood intervention services. 4

5 CONDITIONS The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development reserves the right to use all or part of any material, including submissions and photographs, for any publicity campaign related to education in Victoria. Copyright of any materials produced during, or as a result of the award is owned by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development reserves the right not to make an award. Where possible, payments associated with the award will be made to the employing agency of the award recipient. The employing agency will be required to enter into an agreement with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to distribute funds for professional development as outlined in the recipient s application. Where it is not possible to make the award payment to an employing agency, the award payment is likely to be characterised as taxable income, and the Department has an obligation under the Tax Administration Act to withhold tax on the payment. Any unused monies must be returned to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. It is expected that the recipient of the award will undertake to share the learning from their professional development with colleagues as part of their proposed activities. MORE INFORMATION For more information relating to the Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank Early Childhood Teacher of the Year award, or the application and selection process, contact the awards coordinator on (03) or via at excellence.awards@edumail.vic.gov.au Applications close Friday 28 February