Monash Memo - 22 August 2001

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Teaching excellence rewarded

Ballarat Secondary College’s Kerry Howard topped one of seven categories presented at the award dinner on August 16.

Ms Howard spent 20 years teaching psychology as well as society and the environment before starting an information graduate diploma course in 1996.

She now takes IT into the classroom, encouraging students and teachers to work on Internet-based projects.

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Planning) Professor Lindsay told the awards that Monash University was proud to play a part cultivating excellence within the teaching profession and in fostering a commitment to innovative, progressive and challenging teaching methods.

“Only genuinely committed teachers can inspire and challenge young people for life in tomorrow’s world,” Professor Lindsay said.

He said those involved in education had to work together to provide the best possible educational services to our local communities, and to the broader Australian and international communities.

Outlining the three defining themes Monash had adopted, Professor Lindsay explained the university’s aim to be international, innovative and engaging energetically in the wide range of communities it served.

“For Monash, our involvement in the Teacher of the Year Awards in an important element in building stronger relationships across primary, secondary and university levels,” he said.

“It also recognises the common challenges we face in recognizing and rewarding individual excellence and the importance and contributions of the teaching profession.”

Yawarra Primary School in Boronia was named primary teacher team of the year while Rose Iser was named secondary novice teacher of the year.

Ferntree Gully North Primary School’s Kim Beattie was primary novice teacher of the year, secondary graduate teacher of the year was Michelle Battersby and Albert Park Primary School’s Melanie McLennan was named primary graduate teacher of the year.