The brilliant maths teacher every child should have

He has more than 100,000 subscribers and his videos have been viewed millions of times around the globe.

Meet Eddie Woo, the maths teacher who makes maths fun – and educational.

That’s why they are watched by students from Broken Hill to Byron Bay.

And why Eddie, a teacher at Cherrybrook Technology High School, has been named the 2018 NSW Local Hero.

He began creating his 'Wootube' videos five years ago for a student that was bed-ridden with cancer.

In the videos, filmed from the perspective of his students, Mr Woo can be seen animatedly explaining complex mathematical theories.

His clear, thorough and precise videos make the complex equations easily digestible for confused maths students.

"You’re brilliant and you made understanding Maths so simple and logical," Jennifer Cho, one subscriber, wrote.

"Your enthusiasm for maths is contagious. It will infect any curious mind with wonder. You’re benefiting kids all over the world," another wrote.

"Online lessons broaden my reach and my ability to teach way more than I physically ever could," Mr Woo, who lives in Baulkham Hills, told AAP.

"Places like Cobar and Broken Hill and Bourke, they write in and say they've watched the videos."

However, he doesn't believe videos will replace traditional face-to-face teaching.

"My job is to inspire young people to hold them up to a higher standard and say you can do better than that," Mr Woo said.

"No matter what technology there is available, education is a human activity."

Mr Woo's parents, who moved from Malaysia in the 1970s to give their children a better education, were initially disappointed in their son's choice of profession because they thought it lacked social status and would not earn him respect in their new country.

Sadly, his mother died during his first year of university and was never able to see him flourish in his chosen career.

"I could never pay my school or my parents back for the incredible sacrifices they made, but I do have the opportunity to help the next generation have the same opportunities that I did," he said.

Incidentally, the 2018 NSW Australian of the Year is also heavily involved in education.

Pioneering University of New South Wales physicist Michelle Yvonne Simmons was awarded the honour for her work in the "space race of the computing era."

Five years ago, Professor Simmons and her team developed the first transistor made from a single atom and the world's thinnest wire.

She now aims to build a quantum computer powerful enough to solve problems that would otherwise take thousands of years in minutes.

The honours were awarded last night at a ceremony held at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

“Their dedication to the issues that affect our state and our nation ignites discussion, raises awareness and improves our lives,” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

"On behalf of the people of NSW I thank them for their contribution to NSW and wish everyone the very best of luck for the national announcement."

The Australian of the Year Awards will be held in Canberra on January 25.