KEY POINTS:
When Newmarket Primary principal Wendy Kofoed has finished school for the day, she becomes a student herself as she finishes her doctorate.
It's the type of dedication to education that saw Ms Kofoed yesterday named among 20 teachers at the NEiTA Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Awards.
The ceremony - attended by Education Minister Chris Carter - aimed to promote public recognition of the teaching profession and specifically honour the professionals who show excellence and commitment.
More than 270 teachers were nominated across the early childhood, primary and secondary school sectors.
Regional teaching awards went to 12 of the nominees, and eight received the inaugural leadership prize.
In October, 10 of the teachers and leaders will be further honoured when presented with national awards and professional development grants.
Ms Kofoed said the recognition was a rare honour. Newmarket's principal for eight years, she has come up with interesting ways to connect families and the school - and overcome challenges of running an inner-city learning centre.
"We are on the side of a cliff and our environment is certainly a bit challenging," she said.
"So the children have done some magnificent art works in the grounds and we've tried to make all our little spots as special as we can."
One of those special spots is the school vegetable garden, fed with a rainwater system using roof run-off.
It's particularly handy for students who live in apartments without backyards - much of the produce is donated to the City Mission, with the remainder used in the likes of cooking and maths lessons.
"Children will use the vegetables to make vegetable soup or in maths. For example, they might sell some of the vegetables to parents."
Ms Kofoed said research for her University of Auckland PhD, due to be completed this year, centred on the development of strong partnerships between home and school.
Putting it into practice in the classroom, she tried to develop a welcoming environment at the school.
"I'm a hugely spoiled principal - I have the most wonderful group of children coming to school every day," said Ms Kofoed. "They have wonderful, supportive parents and the boards over the years have been outstanding. All those things together make an exceptional learning environment."
HAPPY KNACK FOR TAPPING INTO CHILDREN'S INTERESTS
Pre-school teacher Karen Ramsey is tops in her pupils' books - now she's been awarded a new excellence in leadership award too.
At Roskill South Kindergarten for a decade, Ms Ramsey has spread the message around the globe about how she weaves information technology and digital cameras into sessions with the youngsters in her care. Her interest was further developed in 2003, when the kindergarten was one of the first to become a centre of excellence in a Ministry of Education scheme.
Former kindergarten committee chairwoman Michelle Holmes - whose children Jordan, now 9, and 7-year-old twins Oliver and Alexandra were all in Ms Ramsey's classes - said the teacher had a knack for tapping into children's special interests.
She said daughter Jordan got into learning about earthquake drills because she was scared of the natural disaster. "Within the space of a month, they had given Jordan enough information that she came back as a 4-year-old and gave the 3-year-old afternoon kindy kids a session on earthquake safety herself."
Ms Holmes said pupils from 18 cultures came together at the centre and because families were encouraged to become involved, they developed life-long friendships. "We have a pretty special teacher on our hands."
PRIZEWINNERS
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Teaching
Johanna Colman, Pauanui Playschool, Coromandel.
Natalie Cook, Massey Childcare Centre, Palmerston North.
Tessa Dunleavy, Devonport Community Creche, North Shore City.
Dinah Marr, Central Childcare and Education Centre, Gisborne.
Leadership
Susan Johnson, Dunedin Hospital Early Childhood Centre, Dunedin.
Karen Ramsey, Roskill South Kindergarten, Auckland.
Ramila Sadikeen, Brooklands Kindergarten, New Plymouth.
PRIMARY/INTERMEDIATE
Teaching
Bastienne Kruger, Oruaiti School, Northland.
Carol Rowe-Mitchell, Vauxhall School, North Shore City.
Kristie Thomas, Karaka Primary School, Franklin.
Gay Tye Miller, Avenue School,Paeroa.
Leadership
Jaco Broodryk, Whakarongo School, Palmerston North.
Judy Dixon, Frankton Primary School, Hamilton.
Wendy Kofoed, Newmarket Primary School, Auckland.
SECONDARY
Teaching
Vicky Binedell, St Cuthbert's College, Auckland.
Fenella Colyer, Manurewa High School, Manukau City.
Scott Haines, Ashburton College, Ashburton.
Moeke Paaka, Motueka High School, Nelson.
Leadership
Geraldine Travers, Hastings Girls High School, Hastings.
Patrick Walsh, John Paul College, Rotorua.
