Year 5 teacher Ebony Peters received the Outstanding Early Career Primary Teacher award, and was humbled by the recognition.
“Gary (Darma), our principal, told me that a parent at our school nominated me for the award,” she said.
“I didn’t really know that I was going to win it... it felt really nice to be even nominated and to be considered because you just don’t realise that people are actually noticing all the hard work that you’re doing.
“It felt really nice that someone else thought I was doing a good job.”
The Victorian Government Education department said that Miss Peter’s “dedication to student-centred learning, wellbeing and inclusion is creating positive cultural change at the school”, and her impact is found throughout the school.
“Whether initiating a student-run podcast, implementing a new restorative practices policy, or leading a much-valued staff wellbeing initiative, Ebony is fostering a more resilient and understanding school culture by ensuring that the school remains responsive to the evolving needs of its community,” the statement said.
Miss Peters has been at Bourchier St Primary School as a Year 5 teacher for the past three years, which she got after finishing up university.
While she’s yet to tell her students about her new award, she said the school has been amazingly supportive.
“I think I’m trying to downplay it a little bit,” she said.
“The school has been really good.
“It was really nice having lots of people send me emails, or talk to me in the staff room and congratulate me and tell me that I deserve it because sometimes I downplay it.
“I think the school played a massive part. I’ve always been provided with heaps of opportunities through the school to get better, and they’ve always supported me and listened to my ideas, and I think that’s really helped me grow and become confident as a teacher.”
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