OfficeMax’s search for New Zealand’s finest educators is now well underway for their 2015 A Day Made Better programme.

Nominations close soon for the national search, which rewards outstanding primary and intermediate teachers for their contribution to education and learning.

Parents and students are encouraged to contact their local schools to suggest the teachers they think deserve their day made better before nominations close on September 25.

Fifteen teachers nominated by their peers, will be chosen for their hard work and dedication and have their day made better by OfficeMax.

The OfficeMax team will visit the winning teachers in November for a surprise award ceremony at their school. They will receive a $1,000 prize pack of OfficeMax arts and crafts, stationery and office supplies for their classrooms. As well as receiving a big thank you from their students and peers.

OfficeMax New Zealand’s National Manager of Government & Education Blair Horsfall said the programme is a fantastic way to celebrate the passionate and dedicated teachers in New Zealand.

“We want to give teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty the recognition they deserve. This is our fifth year of A Day Made Better and our team are looking forward to celebrating this years deserving winners,” he said.

A Day Made Better began in the US in 2007, and was taken to New Zealand to reward kiwi teachers in 2011. In the U.S the programme has garnered the support of high-profile celebrities including Audrina Patridge, Cynthia Nixon and Demi Lovato. OfficeMax New Zealand has been growing the programme locally, increasing the number of teacher surprises from eight to fifteen annually.

Principals, teachers and school administrators can nominate primary or intermediate school teachers through the website adaymadebetter.co.nz before nominations close on September 25.

Winners will be selected by an esteemed judging panel of members from the New Zealand Principals’ Federation and surprised by the OfficeMax team in November.