Independent Schools Honour Excellence in Teaching

Independent Schools Honour Excellence in Teaching

For the third year running Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ) have honoured their Excellence in Teaching award winners at their annual conference in Christchurch.

Winners

Years 0-6 – Spacific Year Book

Sue Armstrong, St Cuthbert’s College, Auckland

Years 7-10 – Distinction

Linda Baran, Selwyn House School

Years 11-13 – Konica Minolta

Julie Earl, St Peter’s School, Cambridge

Joy Quigley, ISNZ, said the formal recognition of excellence in teaching acknowledges three aspects: classroom teaching, contribution to wider school life, and contribution to the wider community.

All three winners this year are again truly outstanding said Ms Quigley, noting that the selection is always difficult, and this year the categories required repeat visits before a winner was determined.

Ms Quigley also acknowledges with appreciation the support of the three sponsors, Konica Minolta, Distinction and Spacific Yearbooks.

Citation notes for the three winners follow:

Sue Armstrong

Sue Armstrong teaches Year 5 at St Cuthbert’s College. She wins the Spacific Year Book Excellence in Teaching Award for Years 0-6.

Her Parent Nominators state that Sue Armstrong’s fairness, kindness, and dedication to her class is commendable. They laud her true professionalism.

Her teaching is thorough and organised, with extensive forward planning evident in all curriculum areas and integration of technology.

Her students describe her as strict but very fair; they have been given clear guidelines and fair boundaries.

The school endorses her professionalism, noting specifically her constant upskilling, willingness to learn, and to share her best practice with colleagues in and out of school.

She is known to be the consummate master teacher, professional role model, and mentor, and her contribution to all areas of school life is applauded.

Linda Baran

Linda Baran is a highly regarded and passionate teacher, learner, and contributor to Selwyn House School.

She brings a vitality, enthusiasm and love of learning to her specialist areas of science and technology that is appreciated by all staff and students.

There is an excellent balance of teacher directed and student-driven learning that prepares students for secondary school.

Linda’s planning, identification of each student’s development and assessment and reporting is of an exceptional standard.

Linda has made an equally demanding school-wide professional contribution in Science, NumPA, RoboCup, Canta Maths, BP Technology Challenge and Problem Solving competitions, some to national and international standards. She takes pleasure in sharing her personal skill and love of music. In private life she plays the bass guitar in a local band, and at school she has started a rock band and staff percussion group. She is also the sound technician for all school productions.

Julie Earl

Julie Earl teaches geography and social studies at St Peter’s School, Cambridge.

Julie is valued for her strong personal relationships and understanding of her students which leads to very pleasing student results and wider staff development.

She is also valued for her contribution to curriculum development, her work in the Waikato Geographical Society, and as an examination checker and marker with NZQA.

Julie’s co-curricular activities, particularly in the stage challenge and as producer of the 2006 and 2007 school productions, are also very much appreciated.

ends

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