The nominated teachers were presented to the audience to the accompaniment of loud cheers and clapping. The jury, this year consisting of experts, students and former winners, presented themselves to the audience and indicated what the main focus of this year's judging was. "The shift from individual thinking to collective ways of working and learning. It is no longer about pioneers, but rather about people working together on a different system from connection" said jury president Eline Koopman.
The evening was introduced with an education market. This market featured more than 20 initiatives from the education sector related to making the sector more sustainable. A very diverse range of organizations trying to do their part in many ways to contribute to a sustainable world. Through this market, the nominated teachers and all the other public were warmed up for what would follow. From initiatives to give single-sided printed paper a second chance to information about the master climate psychology, everything could be found at the education market in Pakhuis de Zwijger.
Amid applause, the evening of the pageant opened. The presentation, fulfilled by Emin Kececi, Wieneke Maris and Mark Boode, welcomed the nominated teachers and all other visitors. In three groups, all teachers were then introduced to the audience. This gave the audience an idea of the tremendously motivated ways in which all the teachers do their part. From small vegetable gardens where students received their first math lessons to large initiatives where students traveled to Bosnia to help build schools there. It was also frequently noted that all of these teachers are very much engaged in the personal support of their pupils and students. According to jury member Mena Leila Kilani, project manager at SDG Netherlands, this attention was also indicative of the role model these nominated teachers have for their colleagues. "Connect students by looking for solutions in the classroom by listening to them, what keeps them busy?" said Mena Leila Kilani.
After these fine words, it was time for the presentation of the awards. Jury president Eline Koopman was stressed that all these teachers were winners and the piece-by-piece praise from the jury reinforced these words. First of all, the first prize was awarded for primary education. Within primary education, the first prize went to a teacher at the Eindhoven elementary school de Talisman, Bart Thijs. Accompanied by loud cheers and a banner made at the elementary school, the winner accepted the award. "You bring colleagues and the board into your initiatives and use the network around the students to further shape the curriculum." Says jury member and winner of the Sustainable Teacher Election 2024, Thomas Noordeloos.
Then the other prize winners were announced. In secondary education, the first prize went to Brechje Masman, a teacher at Zone.college in Doetinchem. Masman is praised for the self-determination she tries to instill in her students. "By letting students do it themselves and not imposing it from above, it gives them the motivation to keep doing it that way" said high school student and board member at LAKS Fé Swetz in her jury review.
For the mbo, the first prize went to Alco Otten. He is a teacher at the Alfa College in Hoogeveen. In the comments, the jury emphasized what makes Otten unique as a teacher. Thomas Noordeloos emphasized this assessment as follows: "It is beautiful how you focus on skills and behavior, and not only on the technical side of your education. And that you think across educational strata and involve primary and special elementary education."
Finally, in the ho Frederique Amting declared as the winner, she is a lecturer at the NHL Stenden Hogeschool in Leeuwarden. With Frederique Amting, the jury mainly emphasized the versatility of her involvement within sustainability initiatives at the college. "You are strong in co-creation and coaching during the learning and development process," said jury member and in daily life education coordinator, Bas van den Berg.
The Sustainable Teacher Election 2025 is made possible by: Sofie Kreté, Kiki Engels and Renske Zandjans (Leren voor Morgen); Emin Kececi, Marije van Bommel, Wieneke Maris and Mark Boode (Teachers for Climate); Trisha Goossens (Dutch Academy for Sustainable Education); Remco de Waal and Andre de Hamer (Sustainable PABO); With the cooperation of SME, The Green Brain and Pakhuis de Zwijger.
