PD/Community · EMP Awards
2026 EMP Awards
Celebrating Excellence in Mathematics Teaching and Leadership
Applications close in
All applications due by 10pm, November 22nd, 2026
Overview
The Explicit Mathematics Program (EMP) Awards recognise outstanding schools, teachers, and leaders who are delivering exceptional mathematics education and achieving measurable student growth through EMP.
Our awards are designed to provide an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the incredible work happening across schools.
See examples of our winning teachers from 2025.
Award categories and prizes
Winners will receive:
For whole schools
School of the Year
$5,000 AUD
voucher for EMP resources to be used for 2027 or 2028 order
- A personal school visit by Ollie Lovell to see EMP in action and record classroom footage
- Promotion and celebration through EMP social channels and newsletter
For individual teachers
Teacher of the Year
$1,000 AUD
cash prize
- A personal school visit by Ollie Lovell to see EMP in action and record classroom footage
- Promotion and celebration through EMP social channels and newsletter
Entry requirements
All applications due by 10pm, November 22nd, 2026
School of the Year
2 submission artefactsSubmission artefactJudging criteria/notes
Classroom footage of three complete EMP Sessions, Session A (inc. DRQT, Fact Fluency, Explicit Lesson) from a minimum of 3 teachers (the more the better) from the school. Continuous footage, no edits.
Quality of teaching (see example steps below for guidance)
Student engagement and participation
Note: Parental media release permission must be obtained for any students identifiable in classroom footage. Template here.
Video of 3-5 minutes duration outlining the concrete impact of the EMP at your school
Quality of the data presented to tell the story
Quality of the narrative and broader evidence provided to back up this narrative and claims to impact
The data we are seeking here is robust standardised data such as NAPLAN, PAT, or both.
Please note, video quality will NOT be judged. A simple screencast of a powerpoint, or even a video from your phone propped up whilst you present at a classroom board is totally fine. It’s about the data and the narrative.
Teacher of the Year
1 submission artefactSubmission artefactJudging criteria/notes
Classroom footage of one complete EMP Session, Session A (inc. DRQT, Fact Fluency, Explicit Lesson). Continuous footage, no edits.
Quality of teaching (see example steps below for guidance)
Student engagement and participation
Note: Parental media release permission must be obtained for any students identifiable in classroom footage. Template here.
How to apply
1
Download a form
Download the appropriate (school or individual) application form and complete it.
2
Film and gather permission
Parental media release permission must be obtained for any students identifiable in classroom footage. Check video permissions so the link can be opened by someone outside your organisation (e.g. use a Chrome incognito tab).
3
Name your file
Name file using one of the following naming conventions
School_[School name] Individual_[School name]_[Individual name]4
Submit as PDF
Sign the declaration, then submit as PDF to the EMP Awards dropbox by 10pm, November 22nd, 2026.
Go to dropboxMultiple submissions for individual EMP Teacher of the Year are permitted from a single school. Teachers may nominate themselves, or be nominated by a colleague or school leadership.
Example teaching steps
A sample of what judges look for when assessing teaching quality in your classroom footage.
Goal
Deliver and Signal with precision
Make eye contact
Involve and draw all students into the lesson by scanning the room and making eye contact with students throughout the lesson
Reduce echo with an interval cue
Ensure that students answer in unison with a two-part cue including both a clear interval (e.g., hand goes up then comes down again) and crisp signal, consistently executed each time
Vary think time for question complexity
Based upon the complexity of a question and the amount of think time required, adjust the length of time between posing a question and giving your interval cue
Goal
Build a sense of Pace
Direct attention with gestures
Direct students’ attention to yourself and the board as appropriate by explicitly pointing where students should be looking
Use positive narration
Acknowledge students who are on track and prime others to comply with comments like, ‘Ahmed already has a window drawn on his board’ and ‘The back row are all sitting ready with their hands together’
Deliver with rhythm, energy and urgency
Keep the pace of lesson delivery snappy by delivering with energy and urgency. Help students to stay with you with appropriate rhythm during counts, chants, and choral responses
Goal
Effectively utilise Repair Routines
Use 'Pause, Correct, Check'
When students make an error, pause, state the correct answer, then re-pose the original question to ensure that they can all be successful
Reinforce corrections with a whip around
After making a correction at the whole class level, reinforce this correction by going to a series of different students (3 max) and cold-calling them to ensure they understand
Insist on 100%
Ensure that all students are paying attention, participating, and doing their best at all times. Hold the standard!
We look forward to celebrating your achievements and sharing your stories with the wider community.
Direct any questions regarding EMP award to support@empschools.com