Kindy teacher named among country's top 20

By STUART DYE

Lesley Pohio's leadership of her Auckland kindergarten has resulted in the centre being chosen for a Royal Society Marsden Fund research project, studying the learning strategies that children develop in early childhood and take with them to school.

Those who work with Ms Pohio, who teaches at Mt Roskill's Akarana Avenue kindergarten, speak glowingly of her team skills, creativity and warm and supportive relationships with families.

Yesterday her work was rewarded as she was named one of the country's top 20 teachers.

"I was totally blown away. I had no idea it was coming and it was only when I received the certificate that I knew I was in the running," she said.

At a ceremony at Parliament Ms Pohio and 19 other teachers from around the country were presented with regional awards in the Australian Scholarship Group's National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA).

They were selected from 450 nominees put forward by parents and pupils, and honoured by Education Minister Trevor Mallard yesterday.

For the first time this year, early childhood teachers were eligible for the awards along with primary, intermediate and secondary tutors.

Ms Pohio said that was more important than her individual award. The key to early childhood teaching success was giving teachers, parents and children a say in the education process, she said.

The 20 teachers received certificates and plaques. In November, six of them will be presented with a national award.

Three of the six will also be awarded a professional development grant of $2,500, with one receiving an additional $2,500 to put towards their teaching development.

"NEiTA is essentially the People's Choice award of teaching," said NEiTA Foundation chairman Terry O'Connell.

"All the recipients can feel proud to be nominated and selected for these awards by the very people they influence, shape and inspire every day."

NEiTA was launched in New Zealand in 1996 by the Australian Scholarships Group Friendly Society, an organisation of New Zealand and Australian parents.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard said the teachers acknowledged were making a significant contribution to ensuring New Zealand's young people got a high quality education.

"We know from national and international research that quality teaching is the most important influence on student achievement," said Mr Mallard.