Hundreds of teachers were nominated in the competition, conducted by EducationHQ and Australian Teacher Magazine, and five worthy recipients were handpicked to go in the running for the Italian Teacher category, proudly supported by Il Globo and La Fiamma.

They were: Mary Lantman from Cairns School of Distance Education (QLD); Maria-Pia Gagliardo from MacKillop Catholic College (NT); Jenna Lo Bianco from St. Paul’s College (VIC); Anna Favrin from Penola Catholic College (VIC); and the victorious Cudini.

Cudini was awarded a $1000 cash prize courtesy of Il Globo and La Fiamma to spend on his further professional development.