For World Teachers’ Day 2024 we celebrated some of the amazing teachers who help make big moments happen for students.

Teachers can make a real difference to their students’ learning, often turning small moments into outcomes with a big impact.

This year we threw a spotlight on World Teachers’ Day by recognising teachers and the significant contributions they make through their dedication to helping build brighter futures for their students.

World Teachers’ Day is held internationally on 5 October, however Australia celebrated the 2024 event on 25 October.

As part of the celebrations, we invited eligible teachers across the country to enter our World Teachers’ Day competition by telling us about an unforgettable teaching moment they had experienced or seen.

We received many great entries featuring amazing stories of passion, inspiration, courage and rewards, but eventually our judges settled on two winning teachers.

Memorable moments

This year’s winning teachers were Mackay-based Laren du Toit and Melbourne-based Tiaan Kruis, whose experiences underlined their dedication and passion for teaching.

Lauren revealed her most unforgettable teaching moment was when a student who had been struggling with letters and sounds, numbers and socialising skills began to make connections with their learning.

The student not only began to write sentences and recognise numbers, but also developed a great group of friends.

Tiaan was nominated by colleague Zelda McClintock who said his innovative teaching methods were inspiring and helped create a dynamic learning environment.

‘He has a unique way of making complex concepts accessible and enjoyable for his students. He has an ability to connect with students and build trust. It is truly remarkable,’ said Zelda. ‘His enthusiasm for English (the subject he teaches) is contagious. It’s clear that he not only knows the material but also genuinely enjoys sharing it with his students.’

For our competition, 2 prize packs worth $1,150 each were up for grabs. The nominated winning teachers each received a $150 Coles Myer gift card, while $1,000 Officeworks gift cards will be presented to their school to be used to benefit student learning.