Samsung Electronics Australia has today announced the winner of its inaugural STEM Teacher of the Year Award, with Pymble Ladies College teacher Asaph Becker being crowned the overall winner following a nationwide call-out.
Samsung designed the award to recognise the hard work and positive impact STEM teachers have on today’s young minds and future leaders. This follows research the company commissioned earlier in the year, which showed that 59 per cent of Australians agree that STEM teachers should receive more recognition than they currently receive.
Current and former students, fellow teachers, parents and industry experts were asked to nominate a teacher who makes STEM feel less like a subject and more like an adventure against specific criteria.
“I’m incredibly honoured to receive the Samsung STEM Teacher of the Year Award, especially knowing it comes from the students I’m so passionate about supporting. My goal has always been to empower students, particularly women, to pursue STEM with passion and purpose and to build a supportive community where everyone feels they can make a meaningful impact,” Pymble Ladies College’s winning STEM teacher Asaph Becker says.
“This award reflects the hard work of my students, who inspire me every day to make a difference.”
The entries were judged by a panel of industry experts, including astrophysicist and STEM advocate Dr Kirsten Banks. The judges selected the winners based on how the teacher has positively impacted their students and the industry, as well as the way they continue to demonstrate their commitment to and passion for STEM. The competition received more than 360 high calibre entries and nominees, Australia-wide, making the judges’ job challenging.
“Samsung is delighted to celebrate the exceptional educators who have been awarded the STEM Teacher of the Year Awards. These teachers are at the forefront of inspiring curiosity, creativity and a love for learning in STEM, empowering the next generation to achieve incredible things,” says Phil Gaut, Senior Director and Head of Display at Samsung Electronics Australia.
“We are proud to recognise their invaluable contributions to education and their lasting impact on students and communities across Australia.”
The competition received more than 360 entries, Australia-wide, with a high calibre of entries and nominees making the judges’ decisions challenging.
The winning teacher was awarded two Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, one Galaxy Buds3 Pro and a Galaxy Fit3. The runner-up teacher, Henk Plaggemars from Woodville High School in South Australia, received one Galaxy Tab S9 FE and a Galaxy Fit3, and the winning student from Pymble Ladies College received a Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+.
“I have experienced first-hand the profound impact STEM teachers have on young minds, helping them develop essential skills like critical thinking, creativity and communication,” says astrophysicist Banks.
“Congratulations to the inaugural winners of Samsung’s STEM Teacher of the Year Award – this recognition is a true testament to their hard work, dedication, and the positive impact they have on shaping the innovators of tomorrow. It’s inspiring to celebrate these educators who play such a pivotal role in fostering the next generation of thinkers and problem-solvers.”
