Nominations are now open for A Day Made Better, a programme run by leading stationery supplies company OfficeMax New Zealand that recognises the contribution of teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty in their classroom.

Ten teachers from across the country will be selected from the nominations by their peers and then surprised and thanked for their efforts by the OfficeMax New Zealand A Day Made Better team with $1000 worth of OfficeMax arts and crafts, stationery and office supplies for their school.

OfficeMax New Zealand’s General Manager (Education), Suzanne Flannagan, said that the programme really highlights the passion and dedication of the nominated teachers.

“We are so fortunate to have such high calibre teachers in this country and while it is obvious the principals are grateful for their hard work and dedication, its the outside recognition that really surprises them, ” Suzanne said.

“We adapted the global A Day Made Better programme, which began in the US in 2007, to really make it New Zealand’s own by rewarding primary and intermediate teachers who are known for their passion and enthusiasm and for continually inspiring their students,” she said.

Often these teachers dig deep into their own pockets to provide resources out of their own funds, as a survey conducted by the New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa (NZEI) showed.

According to the NZEI survey in 2010, 87 per cent of primary teachers said they spend their own money on classroom resources such as stationery and food for hungry children each year.

Principals, teachers and school administrators can nominate a primary or intermediate school teacher through the website adaymadebetter.co.nz

Nominations close on 17th August 2012, and the first round of judging takes place from 20th August. The principals from the winners’ schools will be notified from 1st September and the worthy recipients will be thanked with a surprise celebration from 22nd October to 2nd November.