9 November 2010Champion teachers named

Media Release

9 November 2010Champion teachers named

They are champions in their school communities and are now collectively named as the ten national recipients of the NEiTA Foundation’s Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Awards. These teachers and leaders received professional development grants totalling $35,000 and NEiTA Foundation crystal apples at ceremonies in their schools.

Cognition Education Leadership Award recipients are: Raewynne Bary, Massey Child Care Centre, Palmerston North; Heidi Greenwood, Moriah Kindergarten, Wellington; Leanne Smith, Waikowhai Intermediate School, Mt Roskill, Auckland; Prue Kelly, Wellington High School, Wellington; and Vivienne Russell, Rutherford College, Te Atatu Peninsula, Auckland. Leanne Smith and Prue Kelly were also awarded $5,000 professional development grants, the others $2,500 grants.

ASG Education Programs Teaching Award recipients are: Karen Cameron, St Clair Community kindergarten, Dunedin; Tui Cox, Patumahoe School, Pukekohe, Auckland; Georgette Jenson, Sonrise Christian School, Gisborne; Kane Raukura, De La Salle College, Mangere East, Auckland; and Matthew Humber, ACG Strathallan College, Karaka, Auckland. Karen Cameron and Kane Raukura were also awarded $5,000 professional development grants, the others $2,500 grants.

Convenor of the NEiTA Foundation’s selection panel, Brother Pat Lynch, says the recipients all plan to use their grants to further their study or observe and develop educational programmes that will benefit students at their schools. Some will travel, some will take time out to work on specific projects but all grants will benefit the recipients, their colleagues, pupils and others in the educational community.

“It is so pleasing to see such success shared; as pupils learn from teachers, teachers learn from each other. This is the basis of how teachers operate – a sharing of ideas, knowledge, skills and expertise.

“We received 640 nominations, and it is wonderful to see public recognition of teachers, as exists for champion sportspeople, business and community leaders,” says Pat Lynch.

The NEiTA Foundation’s Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Awards are jointly supported by ASG Education Programs New Zealand, which assists parents to plan for their children’s future education, and Cognition Education, New Zealand’s leading independent educational services and consultancy provider.

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