A Rotorua teacher with a passion for making a difference will be honoured with a national teaching award.
John Paul College's Marie Hepi is one of 18 regional recipients, selected from almost 200 community nominations throughout New Zealand, to be awarded an ASG National Excellence in Teaching Award.
Now in its 21st year, the awards gave the community the opportunity to formally thank and recognise outstanding and dedicated teachers who were passionate about driving a world class education system and encouraged students to reach their full potential.
Ms Hepi has always wanted to make a difference in the world and her teaching was "tried and true" with importance placed on students having "learner agency".
Organisers of the awards said Ms Hepi encouraged students to plan their goals and pathways, teaching them how and where to access necessary strategies to improve learning.
Restorative justice was used when correcting students and she taught strategies for students to be more resilient when meeting problems.