Top independent school teachers win teaching award

Top independent school teachers win teaching awards

Three of the country's best teachers were honoured today with Excellence in Teaching awards from Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ).

Philip Lee (ACG Senior College, Auckland), Harold Russ (Kings College, Auckland) and Susan Porter (St Cuthbert's College, Auckland) were the winners at the ISNZ's second annual awards.

"New Zealand has some of the world's best teachers, and ISNZ wanted to acknowledge those special teachers who work in independent schools," said ISNZ executive director Joy Quigley.

"This year's winners are leaders, nationally, in their fields and teachers of enormous quality."

- Philip Lee, English teacher (Years 11-13), was described as an exceptional and gifted teacher with a commitment to excellence and critical thinking.

- Harold Russ, Technology teacher (Years 7-10), was described as "one of those very rare 'expert' teachers" and was always prepared to go beyond the call of duty.

- Susan Porter, (Years 0-6), had a "very warm, caring classroom environment" with "excellent planning and exciting programmes that give the students a love of school and learning."

The teachers won $2,000 cash as well as registration and travel to ISNZ's annual conference in Rotorua today and Saturday. Award sponsors were Konica Minolta, Distinction Furniture and Fisher and Paykel Finance.

Independent Schools of New Zealand teach around 80 percent of New Zealand's independent school students.

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Philip Lee
ACG Senior College and winner of
Years 11 – 13 Konica Minolta ISNZ Excellence in Teaching Award for Exceptional Professional Performance
English teacher

His nominator says that Philip is not only a master teacher but he is a true educationalist who has knowledge, innovation and a strong work ethic

His nominators and students say:
•Exceptional and gifted teacher
•Commitment to excellence and critical thinking
•Stimulates thought provoking discussion
•Every student encouraged to share thoughts
•Provides immediate feedback – a rapid marker
•Well researched and planned lessons
•Outstanding results – in 10 years no student has failed university bursary•Enthrals any class with even the most mundane topic
•Sharp wit and keen sense of humour
•Sets high expectations
•Made English understandable and for the first time I enjoyed it
•Takes English very seriously and prepares us well for exams
•Runs a very strong pastoral care team of Deans; deals with a range of issues sensitively
•Insightful, innovative and supports new initiatives
•Valued for his intelligent and forthright approach
•Developed SARC – Social Awareness and Responsibility Committee – encouraging students to contribute to school and wider community

Harold Russ:

Kings College, and winner of the Years 7 – 10 Distinction
Excellence in Teaching Award for Exceptional Professional Performance
Technology teacher

His nominator says he is an outstanding teacher
•The epitome of exceptional, professional performance
•One of those very rare “expert” teachers known for
–What he teaches
–How he teaches
–The kind of learning environment he provides
•Understands that powerful learning does not occur by accident; it is the result of a carefully created effective learning situation
•Always prepared to go beyond the call of duty, keeping up with his subject, developing new programmes of work
Harold Russ is an outstanding teacher
•The epitome of exceptional, professional performance
•One of those very rare “expert” teachers known for
–What he teaches
–How he teaches
–The kind of learning environment he provides
•Understands that powerful learning does not occur by accident; it is the result of a carefully created effective learning situation
•Always prepared to go beyond the call of duty, keeping up with his subject, developing new programmes of work
•Was awarded Royal Society of NZ Fellowship to investigate electronics and control applications for the senior technology curriculum (2002)•Makes a significant professional contribution to the College staff
•Makes a huge extra curricular contribution in charge of squash and as coach of No 1 team

Susan Porter
St Cuthbert’s College and winner of the
Year 0-6, Fisher and Paykel ISNZ Excellence in Teaching Award for Exceptional Professional Performance

Her nominators say:
•A very warm, caring classroom environment where students are valued as individuals and where taking risks is accepted as the best way to learn
•A classroom full of creativity – like walking into a painting
•Excellent planning – exciting programmes that give the students a love of school and learning
•Expertise in language and visual art – achieves very high standards in all curriculum areas
•Excellent pastoral care and a wonderful relationship with parents
•Total commitment to ensuring girls respect one another – is an excellent role model for good Christian living
•Has developed an outstanding values programme for Y1-6. Shows true compassion for those in need
•Writes songs and poems for appropriate occasions
•Learning made visible through documentation
•Provides spiritual leadership and works closely with the School Chaplain
•Involved with Y1-4 annual show
•A wonderful colleague – very support of all staff.
•Year One Coordinator – responsible for introducing the Reggio Emelia approach to Early Childhood Education into the Y1 syndicate this year – it has been a very successful introduction
•Has welcomed visitors to see Reggio programmes in action
•Along with Head of Junior School and Y1 colleagues, presented a workshop at the Reggio Provocations Conference in July
•Teaches Reggio Emelia to Y1-2 and takes responsibility for Nativity and other celebrations
•Awarded a 2005 STCC staff scholarship to attend a conference in Reggio Emelia and follow the life of St Cuthbert in Scotland – then reported back to whole school during St Cuthbert’s Week
•Manages a Senior School tennis team – has a great relationship with the girls in her team

ENDS

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