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Goodstart ECT Dulari Gonawala named as NEiTA Seed Award winner
Freya Lucas
Dec 05, 2022
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Dulari Gonawala, an early childhood teacher from Goodstart Early Learning Berwick, has been named as the 2022 winner of the National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) Seed Award.
The NEiTA Seed Award recognises the efforts of preschool teachers and early childhood educators who lay the foundations for lifelong practice and enjoyment of learning as part of the NEiTA Foundation’s broader Excellence in Teaching Awards program.The Excellence in Teaching Awards recognise and celebrate teachers’ central role in the learning, development, and wellbeing of children.
Award winners receive a professional development grant of up to $10,000 to further their career and to find ways to help their students reach their potential. They’ll be honoured in a virtual awards ceremony and be invited to meet and network with the other recipients and NEiTA alumni.
Ms Gonawala is still in the early stages of her teaching career, however she has already displayed a passion to build on her knowledge and skills, implementing inquiry-based projects with a STEM approach and focusing on the individual learning journeys of the learners in her care, extending their goals and stretching their limits.
She can often be found supporting, coaching and mentoring the rest of the team, and has built strong connections with the community by involving them in setting up a Bush Tucker Garden. She has also supported the centre’s cultural awareness by supporting the publishing of the centre’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
“I feel honoured to receive the National Excellence in Teaching Award,” Ms Gonawala said.
“Since the start of my early childhood career I have had so many professional development opportunities and career progression opportunities. All the coaching, mentoring and training has shaped me into who I am today.”
“I am passionate about what I do. My experience as a secondary science and math teacher leads me into doing a lot of inquiry based projects with children. I always lookout for teachable moments and children’s interests and incorporate intentional teaching to achieve learning goals and outcomes. A huge part of my teaching practice includes critically reflecting on how to further enhance the quality of the educational program and practice.”
Ms Gonawala thanked “everyone in the Goodstart family” for supporting her endevours, with Goodstart CEO Julia Davison saying “Congratulations Dulari. We are all very proud of you.’
Throughout the 28-year history of the Awards program, NEiTA has received around 40,000 nominations for excellent and inspirational teachers from early childhood and school communities throughout Australia and New Zealand.
More than 1,100 teachers have received awards, and the NEiTA Foundation has awarded more than $1,200,000 in professional development grants, prizes and endowments.
Learn more about NEiTA here.
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