Minister's Tribute To Excellence In Teaching

Education Minister Trevor Mallard today paid tribute toexcellence in teaching with the presentation of the Rosetta Stone AIMHI teachers' awards.The awards were presented to 11 teachersfrom AIMHI schools."This is the first year of these peerawards. They are about teachers in some of our poorestsecondary schools recognising the outstanding service ofcolleagues," Trevor Mallard said."Each year the AIMHIForum will seek nominations for the award which will bepresented at the AIMHI teachers' conference. "Eachoccasion where we present awards for excellence creates anopportunity for public, tangible recognition of greatsuccesses in New Zealand education."Teachers made theirselection on the following criteria:61623, the teacheris recognised by teachers and students within their schoolas a person who has provided an excellent teachingenvironment for students for at least fiveyears,61623, the teacher has shared their skills andtalents with other teachers in AIMHI schools,61623,the teacher has shared their skills and talents with otherteachers within the school,61623, the teacher hassignificantly improved student achievement in their learningarea. "We will always value excellence," Trevor Mallardsaid."And while not every teacher can be the top teacher,we should always aspire towards a teaching profession inwhich we can be confident that every teacher isexcellent."By encouraging teachers to share their talentand experiences, these awards complement that goal," TrevorMallard said.List of recipients attached JaneSteele - McAuley High SchoolWe acclaim Jane Steele forher well-organised classroom where the aim of the lesson isclearly presented to students. New strategies to improveachievement are always being explored. She has devoted timeto rewriting the Year 9 formative and summative assessmentsand has shared these with her peers. She has the respect ofboth students and staff as a teacher who is committed,organised, generous, and leads by example. We recognise JaneSteele as an excellent teacher and a teacher ofexcellence.Eseta Fuli - Southern Cross MiddleSchoolWe recognise Eseta Fuli as a teacher deserving ofan AIMHI Award for Excellence in Teaching. As a teacher shehas been a very strong supporter of the Abel programme. Sheintroduced Abel strategies into the curriculum and has ledstaff meetings to reflect on Rosetta Stone Spanish Latin hool assessment strategies. A reflective teacher who has focused attention on assessmentpractices to improve the quality of learning and achievementlevels of students. We acclaim Eseta Fuli for herexcellence in teaching and dedication to studentachievement.Samuel Pickett - Hillary CollegeSamuelPicket is a teacher who leads by example. He is organisedand his lessons are thoroughly prepared. He establisheshigh expectations for his students and is generous in givingtime to students to achieve these expectations. He haspromoted Abel techniques and contributed to AIMHI Workshops.His overall contribution to the lives of students isoutstanding. He is supportive of staff and shares 'goodclassroom practice' with them. A teacher who requires ouracclamation as an excellent classroom teacher who takesteaching beyond the classroom.Christine Lee - MangereCollegeChristine Lee is an outstanding teacher. She hasestablished a Career Centre that is innovative. She hasdeveloped an Employment Skills programme that has benefiteda number of students. She has shown a total commitment toensuring that students are following the correct learningprogrammes. She has shown good initiative in upskillingteachers in transition and careers. An. innovative teacherwho has shown 'excellence in teaching' and is deserving ofrecognition.Sam Bahuguna - De La Salle CollegeWeacclaim Sam Bahuguna as deserving of an 'Excellence inTeaching' Award. His students see him as an excellentteacher because lessons are well structured and organised.He has high expectations of students and challenges thestudents to accept nothing less than the best. Respected bystaff and students because of the generosity he showsthrough staff support, extra afternoon classes and regularcontact with parents. An exceptional teacher who monitorsstudents closely and achieves fine results.Janne Wallace- Hillary CollegeJanne Wallace has showed outstandingleadership as the HOD of Social Science. She has been afacilitator of AIMHI workshops and has contributed to SocialScience Association meetings. She has high expectations ofher Rosetta Stone American English students and her classroom is a delightful learningenvironment. To improve student achievement she has classesafter school and at week.