Australian College of Educators awards prestigious honour to the educators of the nation

The Australian College of Educators (ACE) has awarded its 2020 College Medal to all Australian educators, in recognition of their extraordinary work to meet the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the College Medal is traditionally awarded to a single educator who has made an outstanding contribution to Australian education that year, in making the decision for 2020, the judging panel ruled that “exceptional circumstances demanded an exceptional decision,” bestowing the award on all the educators who supported the education and care of children and young people throughout 2020.

“The College Medal recognises outstanding work in any field, level or sector of Australian education,” ACE managing director Helen Jentz said. 

Although the judging panel considered many remarkable nominees, the ACE Board warranted that it was important to recognise the efforts of every educator in the unprecedented times of 2020. 

“Education has at times been seen to be slow to evolve and adapt, but 2020 has truly shown just how progressive, innovative and incredibly resilient teachers are,” ACE National President Dr Phil Lambert said, noting that the decision “‘recognises the continued commitment to excellence under challenging circumstances.”

The decision was welcomed by previous winners of the College Medal, including 2006 Medalist Anthony Mackay AM FACE who said 2020 “shone a bright light on the education profession” revealing the passion and commitment that educators show to their craft. 

Established in 1959, ACE is Australia’s longest serving, most prestigious professional body for all education professionals and has a network of around 20,000 educators around the country. 

Further information about ACE is available here.