TEACHER HONOURED: Design and Technology Teachers Association’s Victorian president Jill Livett presents Horsham College teacher Tina Fitzgerald with a Secondary Educator of the Year award. Picture:CONTRIBUTED
HORSHAM College teacher Tina Fitzgerald has won a statewide award for excellence as a design and technology educator.
Ms Fitzgerald won the Design and Technology Teachers Association's Secondary Educator of the Year award for helping two Victorian Certificate of Education students receive perfect study scores of 50 in product design technology and for organising fashion parades for her students at Wimmera events.
She has also created 'learning posters' and murals at the school.
"It was quite an honour to be recognised for the hard work I have done throughout the year," she said.
"It was lovely just to be nominated and it was a big surprise to be one of the joint winners."
Ms Fitzgerald said a fashion parade displaying students' clothing at the 2012 Wimmera Machinery Field Days was the highlight of her year.
She said it was vital for students to showcase their achievements.
"I think it instils pride in students and if they are proud of what they do they will put in more effort," she said.
"The younger students are getting to see what the senior students are making so it is inspiring them as well.
"We have been invited to run the parade again next year so it was a starting point for us."
Horsham College teacher Simone Conroy nominated Ms Fitzgerald for the award.
"All her projects are completed with such a positive outlook and infectious energy which motivates and inspires not only the technology staff but the entire school," Ms Conroy said.
"All this work has fostered valuable links with the community, employers and other schools in the region."
Monique Hore
