Start with the change you saw in learners
A teacher nomination works best when it focuses on real change, not only warm words. Think about what improved because of that teacher's effort. Maybe a learner who stopped missing school started attending again after patient support. Maybe a shy child found the courage to read aloud. Maybe a class with no extra help still held steady because one teacher kept checking in, kept explaining and kept noticing when a learner was struggling.
The strongest nominations tell a clear before and after. They do not need grand language. They need a plain account of what the teacher did, who benefited, and how that support affected learning or wellbeing. If the story is about care, it should still point to a practical result such as better attendance, calmer behaviour, stronger reading confidence or a safer classroom routine.
- Describe the learner group, not only the teacher's personality.
- Say what problem or barrier was present.
- Explain the action the teacher took.
- Show the difference that action made.
What a useful nomination tells the review team
A nomination should read like a short, honest account from someone who saw the teacher in action. The detail matters. A general statement such as “she is a great teacher” does not give enough to assess. A better nomination explains the setting, the challenge and the support offered. If the teacher helped in more than one way, separate those points so the picture stays clear.
Judging is based on the strength of the story and the evidence provided, along with whether the nomination shows community value. For a teacher, that often means looking at how the work reached learners who needed extra attention, how the teacher helped build confidence, or how the class benefitted in a lasting way. A nomination can still be strong without certificates or long records, but it should give enough detail for the review process to understand the impact.
- Use direct examples from the classroom or school community.
- Mention dates only if they help explain the timeline.
- Include supporting notes, letters or photographs where suitable.
- Keep the focus on the teacher's contribution to learners.
Consent matters before you send a teacher's name
A teacher should know they are being nominated and should agree to it. Consent protects dignity and prevents awkward surprises. It also helps the nomination stay accurate, because the person closest to the story can correct names, places or details that may need tightening. If the nomination includes a photo, a personal account or a sensitive detail, that consent becomes even more important.
Keep the conversation respectful. Explain what the nomination is for and what information you plan to include. If the teacher works with vulnerable learners, be careful not to reveal anything that could identify a child or expose a family problem. A thoughtful nomination can still be powerful without naming every person in the story.
- Ask the teacher before using their full name in the submission.
- Check whether photos or documents should be included.
- Avoid naming learners where privacy could be affected.
- Leave out details that are private but not needed to show impact.
Writing about a teacher without turning it into praise alone
Many nominations sound kind but stay too broad. To make yours stronger, write in short, plain sentences that show the teacher at work. Describe what changed in the classroom, at home, or in the learner's confidence. If the teacher gave after-school support, explain what that support looked like. If they stepped in during a difficult period, say how they kept learning going or helped a child feel safe enough to participate.
A good nomination can sound calm and specific. For example, a Grade 3 teacher in Soweto may have noticed that several learners were reading below grade level, then used extra guided reading time and simple home practice sheets to help them build confidence. The value is not the drama of the example, but the effect on learners who started joining in more, reading aloud with less fear and staying connected to school. That is the kind of change a nomination should make visible.
Useful details to include:
- Where the teacher works and who they support.
- What the challenge was for the learners.
- Which actions the teacher took consistently.
- What changed for the learners or the school community.
Evidence that helps without overloading the story
Supporting evidence should back up the nomination, not bury it. Short letters from parents, colleagues or community members can help if they speak directly about the teacher's contribution. Photos may be useful if they show a project, class activity or community event, but only include them where privacy is protected. If you have school newsletters, lesson notes, feedback or messages that support the story, choose the items that help explain the nomination best.
Too much paperwork can blur the point. The review process needs enough proof to understand the claim, not a thick file of unrelated material. The cleanest submissions usually combine a focused story with a few relevant pieces of support.
- One or two clear supporting statements can be enough.
- Choose evidence that matches the teacher's actual contribution.
- Blur faces or avoid images where learners could be identified unnecessarily.
- Only include private information if it is essential and permitted.
Submitting and updating the nomination
Send your nomination through our contact form on the contact page to get started. The form is the place to share the teacher's name, the reason for the nomination and the supporting detail that shows impact. If you need to correct a name, adjust a description or add a missing note, use the same route so the record stays tidy and complete.
People across Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha and Polokwane can submit nominations, and the programme also handles entries from the rest of South Africa through its regional nomination areas. Keep the language plain and accurate. The best submissions make it easy to see how the teacher changed a learner's opportunity or wellbeing, whether through patience, extra guidance, quiet encouragement or practical support.
If you are unsure what belongs in the story, think about this: what changed because that teacher did the work? Once that is clear, the rest of the nomination usually falls into place.
