The Mariamma Varkey Award for Most Inspirational Teacher
In line with our Founder's mission to raise the status of the teaching profession within the country and in recognition of the drive and passion that Mariamma Varkey put towards education, GEMS Education is proud to present The Mariamma Varkey Award for Most Inspirational Teacher at GEMS.
The prestigious award will recognise a GEMS teacher who is deemed to be the most inspirational practitioner, who motivates and stimulates their students to and also inspires their colleagues to learn and improve as reflective practitioners.
Nominees should be outstanding and inspirational educators who: .
- Motivate their students to learn through questioning, creating, problem solving and to aspire to be the very best.
- Demonstrate a remarkable impact upon their students and the wider community.
- Are pioneering, creative and inclusive, exhibiting innovative pedagogical practices that engage and challenge students in their learning.
- A reflective practitioner who inspires and motivates students and colleagues whilst engaging parents in the progress of their children’s learning.
Models and exemplifies the GEMS Values - Care, Excellence, Always Learning and One Team .
- Actively includes and promotes initiatives of Family First and Jewels of Kindness and Respect within the daily lesson and classroom practices .
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Eligibility
To be eligible, nominees must:.
- Be currently working teachers at GEMS schools who teach children who are in compulsory schooling, or who are between the ages of two and eighteen.
- Have worked in a GEMS school for at least three (3) years.
- Not be prohibited from participating in the contest or receiving the award through any applicable law.
- Not have a criminal record nor conduct themselves (by act or omission) in such a way as to bring the teaching profession into disrepute.
Conditions
- The award will be paid in equal annual instalments over a period of two (2) years.
- For a period of two (2) years from receiving the award, the winner must continue to teach within a GEMS school.
- During this two (2) year period, the winner shall not conduct themselves (by act or omission) in such a way as to bring the teaching profession or any of the organising parties into disrepute.
- Post the announcement, the award winner will be filmed to capture effective classroom practice related to the key indicators of teacher performance for the purposes of GEMS Education promotion.
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The Nomination Process
Each school principal should assign a nomination committee of their choosing. The committee will shortlist candidates for nomination and then select the teacher to put forward for the award.
- The committee should also ensure all required material for the nomination (detailed below) is supplied by the teacher and the school's principal.
- Nominations open Monday 27 January 2025.
- Nominations close midnight Friday 28 February 2025.
Nominations should include the following material:
- Two classroom observations from members of the committee, of no more than 300 words each.
- Two supporting statements of 500 words each:
- From the school's Principal on why they are putting forward their nominee. Possible exemplars of their attributes may include:
- their pioneering, creative and inclusive approach to teaching
- their innovative pedagogical practices that engage and challenge students in their learning
- how they inspire and motivate their students and colleagues
- how they engage parents in the progress of their children’s learning
- From the nominee on why they should be considered for the Award.