Teachers get big tick

By Callan Date
WHEN three teachers from the one school are nominated for a prestigious teaching award it could be said the students are in good hands.
And those at St Kevin’s Primary School are learning from three of the best according to judges in the NEiTA People’s Choice Teaching Awards.
Anne-Maree Collins, Anne Marciniak and Michella Pradel have been rewarded for their commitment to the teaching cause and all were happy and humble that their hard work has been recognised.
Prep teacher Ms Collins was thrilled with her nomination and even more honoured it came from the parent committee of the school.
The special environment at St Kevin’s has resulted in Ms Collins spending every day of her 10-year teaching career at the Hampton Park school.
“The resources we have at the school and the different curriculum makes it a great place to work,” Ms Collins said.
She said her passion for teaching was ignited from a young age and she loved the rewards that come with teaching prep students.
Spending a large of a work day with 24 six-year-olds is a demanding occupation at times but the teacher takes it all in her stride.
“They are so enthusiastic and you get to see them develop so much in the year that you have them,” Ms Collins said.
Ms Marciniak has also spent the last decade at St Kevin’s and the literacy coordinator has taught every combination between prep and grade six throughout her career.
“The staff here go above and beyond the call of duty and a lot of people could have been picked for this award,” Ms Marciniak said.
The veteran of more than 30 years of teaching said her role at the school was both challenging and rewarding.
“The children here are just beautiful and if you like teaching it’s the place to be,” Ms Marciniak said.
Grade three-four teacher Ms Pradel rounded out the three teachers nominated from St Kevin’s.
Ms Pradel said she was honoured that a parent had taken the time to nominate her and was touched and moved by the thoughtful gesture.
All teachers now move through to the next phase of the awards which requires nominees to complete a self-reflection piece on themselves.