Kristin School teacher Miss Tasha Gover has been awarded the 2009 Spacific Yearbooks Ltd ISNZ Excellence in Teaching Award for Exceptional Professional Performance for Years 0-6.

 Miss Gover received her award last Saturday during a ceremony at the Independent Schools' New Zealand (ISNZ) conference, held at the Duxton Hotel in Wellington.

 The ISNZ Excellence in Teaching Awards were established in 2005 to honour exceptional teachers who demonstrate talent and commitment to teaching that is truly above ordinary.

 This is the first time Judi Paape, Junior School Principal at Kristin has ever nominated one of her staff, �I believe all our staff are of an excellent standard and that I have always worked with the best, but this year we did have an exceptional staff member who has worked incredibly hard both professionally and personally and whose outstanding professional growth met all the criteria.�

 Miss Gover was thrilled to attend the ISNZ conference with her Kristin colleagues and to accept the award. As a teacher ambassador to the school that day, she proudly illustrated her passion and enthusiasm in her acceptance speech:

 ï¿½I would not be here today if it were not for the guidance, support and encouragement I have received at Kristin. I have been very fortunate throughout my time at Kristin to have been given many wonderful opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.

 For me teaching is about motivating, engaging and challenging my students in their learning so that they can achieve to the best of their ability. I aim to teach programmes of work that are exciting and intellectually stimulating, incorporating best pedagogical practise. I aim to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and caring, where each student's strengths are celebrated and their learning needs are recognised. I aim to create a classroom environment that is stimulating and fun. I aim to make school a great experience for each and every one of my students.

 It is so rewarding as a teacher to see my students motivated and engaged in their learning, applying incredible effort and working through tasks that stimulate and challenge them. It is amazing to see the progress my students make throughout the year and to know that I helped them achieve their goals. It is fantastic to have former students visit my classroom to reminisce about their time in Year 6, sharing their memories of fun and exciting learning experiences. Each student remembers their year as being the 'best ever', when this happens, I know that I have succeeded.�

 Lachlan Mackenzie is a 10-year-old boy in Miss Gover's class. His mum Allison asked Lachlan what he thinks of his teacher: �I think that Ms Gover is a great teacher because she keeps us active so we don't stop listening to her, she is great at IT and she sets high standards which she expects us to meet. She is fun and makes us laugh. That is why I think she is the best teacher ever.�

 John Shafer from Spacific Yearbooks sponsored the excellence award and presented it to Miss Gover at the ceremony.

 Kristin School is one of New Zealand's leading, independent, co-educational schools. Established in 1973, Kristin has approximately 1700 students from Years K to 13. Kristin is non-denominational and welcomes students from all cultures and backgrounds. The school is owned by the Kristin School Charitable Trust and set in park-like grounds on a 20 hectare site in Albany on Auckland's North Shore. Visit their website www.kristin.school.nz