ECAWA Awards

The Digital Technologies Pre-Service Teacher of the Year Award recognises excellence and innovation in the implementation of the WA Digital Technologies Curriculum by a Pre-Service teacher in their professional experience placement.

Who is eligible?
This award is for Pre-Service Teachers, who are studying a recognised Initial Teacher Education course and teaching Digital Technologies. Nominees must be a current Student member of ECAWA.

Nomination Process
Pre-Service Teachers must be nominated by their Professional Experience Mentor Teacher or University Supervisor. All nominations must be submitted using the official form linked above. ECAWA may choose not to make the award in a particular year.

Selection Criteria
Nominees should demonstrate:

• Creative and engaging approaches to teaching Digital Technologies during professional experience placements.
• Effective planning and implementation of meaningful learning experiences that promote student engagement and understanding of Digital Technologies concepts.
• Positive contributions to the school community during professional experience through collaboration and involvement in Digital Technologies initiatives.
• Demonstrated commitment to reflective practice, professional learning and continuous improvement as an emerging educator.

The Emerging ICT Educator of the Year Award recognises excellence and innovation in the integration of ICT into teaching and learning by educators in their first three years of teaching.

Who is eligible?
This award is for early career educators, who are in their first three years of teaching ICT/Digital Literacy, are a K-12 classroom-based educator working in a school setting, and actively contributing to the integration of ICT in teaching and learning. Nominees must be current financial members of ECAWA, either as an Individual member or covered by a School membership.

Nomination Process
Members may self-nominate or be nominated by a peer, using the official form linked below. ECAWA may choose not to present the award in a given year.

Selection Criteria
Nominees should demonstrate:

• Innovative and effective use of ICT to enhance teaching and learning.
• Positive contribution to ICT integration within their classroom, school or local community.
• Engagement with school, community or industry initiatives that enhance learning.
• Demonstrated impact on student learning through purposeful integration of ICT.
• Commitment to professional learning and a willingness to share ideas, resources or emerging practice with colleagues.

The Emerging Digital Technologies Teacher of the Year Award recognises excellence and innovation in the implementation of the WA Digital Technologies Curriculum by K–12 teachers in their schools (e.g. coding, computational thinking, robotics).

Who is eligible?
This award is for early career teachers, who are in their first three years of teaching Digital Technologies, and are currently working as classroom-based educators in a K–12 school setting. Nominees must be current financial members of ECAWA, either as an Individual member or covered by a School membership.

Nomination Process
Teachers may self-nominate or be nominated by a colleague. All nominations must be submitted using the official form linked below. ECAWA may choose not to make the award in a particular year.

Selection Criteria
Nominees should demonstrate:

• Creative and engaging approaches to teaching the Digital Technologies curriculum, with a focus on building students’ practical digital skills and confidence.
• Use of meaningful projects, activities, or contexts that promote student interest and deep understanding.
• Positive impact on the school community through collaboration, support of colleagues, or involvement in Digital Technologies initiatives.
• Contributions beyond the classroom through school, community, or industry partnerships that enhance Digital Technologies education.
• Commitment to professional learning and a willingness to share ideas, resources or emerging practice with colleagues.

The ECAWA ICT Educator of the Year Award recognises excellence in ICT integration and celebrates school-based educators (classroom teachers, sometimes administrators still in teaching role) who drive the use of ICT across broader teaching and learning, not limited to Digital Technologies curriculum, and make a significant impact in their schools and the wider professional community.

Who is eligible?
Nominees must be classroom-based educators working in a school setting and actively contributing to the integration of ICT in teaching and learning. Nominees must be current financial members of ECAWA, either as an Individual member or covered by a School membership.

Nomination Process
Educators may nominate themselves or be nominated by a peer. All nominations must be submitted using the official form linked below. ECAWA may choose not to present the award in a given year.

Selection Criteria
Nominees should demonstrate:

• Candidates should submit an application that organizes evidence under the following headings. The evidence should show that the applicant is respected as a leader and innovator both internal and external to their own institution.
• Significant positive impact on technology use in education; locally, regionally, state wide, nationally, worldwide.
• Efforts to involve the community in the initiative or program to facilitate partnerships with business and/or legislative initiations to advance the use of technology in education.
• Works tirelessly to genuinely improve the quality of education.
• Integrates deliberate planning in an effort to improve education through the use of technology.
• Education and/or work experience has been significantly advanced in the nominee’s workplace as a result of the nominee’s efforts.
• Active member of professional organizations.
• Contributed to the profession by presenting at professional conferences, seminars and/or workshops or publishing articles in print or through electronic media.
• Work can be used as a model.
• Work reflects the mission and purpose of ECAWA.
• Will represent ECAWA well in all forums.

The ECAWA Digital Technologies Teacher of the Year Award recognises excellence and innovation in the implementation of the Digital Technologies Curriculum by K–12 teachers in their schools (e.g. coding, computational thinking, robotics). It celebrates educators who are leading the way in developing students’ computational thinking, problem-solving, and digital systems understanding in creative and meaningful ways.

Who is eligible?
This award is for teachers who are currently working as classroom-based educators in a K–12 school setting. Nominees must be current financial members of ECAWA, either as an Individual member or covered by a School membership.

Nomination Process
Teachers may self-nominate or be nominated by a colleague. All nominations must be submitted using the official form linked below. ECAWA may choose not to make the award in a particular year.

Selection Criteria
The evidence should show that the applicant is respected as an educator and innovator at their own institution.
Nominees should demonstrate:

Impact

• Significant positive impact on the application of the Digital Technologies Curriculum; locally, regionally, state-wide, and/or nationally
• Contribution to the profession by;
  • presenting at professional conferences, seminars and/or workshops or
  • publishing articles in print or through electronic media
  • nurturing and mentoring individuals, groups and /or associations in the use of the Digital Technologies Curriculum

Advocacy

• Advocating for the Digital Technologies Curriculum to the extent that their work is used as a model for others
• Planning, developing and implementing programs to advance the Digital Technologies Curriculum in Education
• Involving the community in an initiative or program to facilitate partnerships around Digital Technologies Curriculum

Innovation

• Innovating in the application of the Digital Technologies Curriculum

The ECAWA Educational Leader of the Year Award recognises outstanding leadership and sustained contribution to the advancement of ICT in education. It honours individuals who have demonstrated vision, influence, and long-term commitment to improving digital teaching and learning through leadership, mentorship, and innovation.

Who is eligible?
Nominees are typically leaders, mentors, or advisors in schools or across broader educational communities. They will have a distinguished record of advocacy, innovation, and inspiration in ICT in education. Nominees must be current financial members of ECAWA, either as an Individual member or covered by a School membership.

Nomination Process
Leaders may nominate themselves or be nominated by a peer, using the official form linked below. ECAWA may choose not to present the award in a given year.

Selection Criteria
The evidence should show that the applicant is respected as a leader and innovator to the benefit of ICT in education.
Nominees should demonstrate:

• Significant positive impact on technology use in education; locally, regionally, state wide, nationally, worldwide.
• Efforts to involve the community in the initiative or program to facilitate partnerships with business and/or legislative initiations to advance the use of technology in education.
• Works tirelessly to genuinely improve the quality of education.
• Integrates deliberate planning in an effort to improve education through the use of technology.
• Education and/or work experience has been significantly advanced in the nominee’s workplace as a result of the nominee’s efforts.
• Active member of professional organizations.
• Contributed to the profession by presenting at professional conferences, seminars and/or workshops or publishing articles in print or through electronic media.
• Work can be used as a model.
• Work reflects the mission and purpose of ECAWA.
• Will represent ECAWA well in all forums.

Nominees:

• Must be current, financial members of ECAWA, either as an Individual member or covered by a School membership
• Must maintain their financial membership at the time of nomination, and renew their membership to cover the national award announcements in November, (essentially through to 30 September 2026). Nominees that do not meet this requirement may be deemed ineligible.

Nominators must obtain the nominee’s consent before submitting

Which award should I choose?

• Choose Digital Technologies Teacher of the Year if your passion and impact revolve around teaching the official Digital Technologies curriculum, engaging students in coding, robotics, and computational thinking.

• Opt for Educator of the Year if your role or impact extends beyond the DT curriculum to broad digital innovation and leadership in integrating ICT throughout learning environments.

Selection Process
The selection committee for the award will consist of a panel of ECAWA committee members designated by the President, and will consider the submissions according to the advertised criteria. Any current nominee who is also a committee member will not be eligible to serve on the selection committee of the award for which they are nominating. The selection process remains confidential. ECAWA may choose not to present the award in a given year.

All nominations will be acknowledged by the ECAWA Secretary. If you do not receive confirmation, please give us a nudge.

For any questions about the awards or nomination process, contact: secretary@ecawa.wa.edu.au