TAFE teacher takes out trade and skills award

When Stephen Anderson found out he was in the running for the Trades and Skills Teacher of the Year Award his first reaction was to decline the nomination.

It's a good thing he changed his mind. The head teacher for graphic arts (screen printing) at Sydney Institute TAFE won Teacher of the Year in the manufacturing (advanced) category this year.

"It was the most humbling experience I'd ever gone through in my entire life," he said.

Anderson (pictured) is not one for hogging the limelight and admits to a dislike of "personal glorification". However, he decided not to shun his nomination after reading the references and testimonials from his fellow staff, students and industry identities.

"When I read those, I knew I had to go through with it," he said. "For people to say such nice things about me is quite unexpected."

Each award winner receives a $5000 cash prize. This is divided into $3000 for personal use and the remaining $2000 is spent on a professional development project.

It is still early days but Anderson intends on undertaking an education-based project to standardise training across the various industries.

Anderson has been a teacher for the last 26 years and prides himself on being "a head teacher who teachers." He has no intention of applying for a promotion and trading the classroom for an office.

Though he has spent most of his life teaching others, he insists that his students have also educated him.

"I get such a diverse range of apprentices who keep me up-to-date with technology," he said. "I learn from the students."

Teaching remains a satisfying vocation for Anderson.

"I went into teaching because it seemed like an attractive profession," he said, "I still think that now."