Educators SA celebrates South Australian educators at World Teachers’ Day Awards
Educators from across South Australia have been recognised for their innovation, leadership and commitment to learners.
Educators from across South Australia have been recognised for their innovation, leadership and commitment to learners at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day Awards, celebrating excellence across the state’s education sector.
From the arts and financial education to language immersion and student wellbeing, this year’s awards have highlighted the breadth of work being undertaken by educators to enrich learning experiences and support young people.
Hosted by Educators SA, the annual awards recognise outstanding contributions across public, Catholic and independent education, as well as the professional associations that support the state’s teaching workforce.
The awards also provide opportunities for educators to extend their work, with grants and scholarships supporting research, professional development and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
“This is an exciting night that acknowledges our best and finest in the education profession,” said Lisa-Jane O’Connor, president and chief executive of Educators SA.
A major highlight was the distribution of more than $112,000 in award grants, which will allow educators across the state to continue their research into innovative educational practices.
The ceremony brought together the state’s most distinguished figures in education and government, including the Honourable Lucy Hood MP, Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Minister for Autism and Minister for the City of Adelaide, and the Honourable Heidi Girolamo MLC, Shadow Minister for Education, Training and Skills.
They were joined by leaders from Public Education, the SACE Board, the Teachers Registration Board, the Education Standards Board, as well as the Independent and Catholic sectors.
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Representatives from other major educator associations, unions and key business partners including Credit Union SA and Calm Wealth were also in attendance.
Anne Dunstan, chief executive of the Association of Independent Schools of South Australia (AISSA), brought the evening to a rousing close with her “Toast to the Profession”. The night was an outstanding tribute to the enduring influence and impact South Australia’s educators have on the future of the state.
2026 Award Recipients Minister’s Awards
Public Education Sector
Minister’s Arts Education Awards
Susan Marshall (Unley Primary School)
Maria Bilske (Glenunga International High School)
Tyson Olson (Para Hills High School)
Meadows & Districts Kindergarten
Tanja Hasan-Warner (Kilparrin Teaching and Assessment School Services)
Tahlia Pynor (Indulkana Anangu School)
Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Financial Education
Sandra Barazin (Morialta Secondary College)
Lai Wei (Norwood International High School)
Minister’s Language Immersion Scholarship Awards
Jasmine Sotiroulis (Renmark High School)
Hunter MacFarlane (Millicent High School)
Independent Education Sector
Minister’s Language Immersion Scholarship Awards
Amy Nairn (Faith Lutheran College)
Matthew Casey (Concordia College)
Catholic Education Sector
Minister’s Arts Education Awards
Suzanne Healy (Our Lady Queen of Peace School)
Danii Zappia (St Michael’s College)
Minister’s Language Immersion Scholarship Awards
Carey Murray (Cabra Dominican College)
Outstanding Graduate Awards
Celebrating the next generation of educational leaders from South Australia’s universities.
Michael Russo (Flinders University)
Xuan Luo (Adelaide University)
Rachel Ross (Tabor College)
State Awards
Nominated by Professional Education Associations to recognise educators demonstrating excellence, leadership, and community support.
World Education Forum Outstanding Contribution to Learner Agency in Education Award
Taylor Goodwin (South Australian Wellbeing Leaders in Schools) & Charlotte Nixon (SA Area School Leaders Association)
Credit Union SA Early Career Educator of the Year Award
Emma Cresdee (Australian Association of Teachers of the Deaf SA)
Teachers Registration Board Outstanding Contribution to Regional Educators Award
South Australian Science Teachers Association
Calm Wealth Outstanding Contributor to the Educator Profession Award
Karen Inwood (Creative Arts Association Australia)
Educators SA Innovative Association of the Year Award
Australian Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association
Find out more at the Educators SA website.
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