Teacher Excellence Award

Congratulations to Mr Craig who has been successfully nominated for the Institute of Industrial Arts Technology Education for the 2017 Teacher Excellence Award.

The iiate Teacher Excellence Award is one of the highest honours given to technology and engineering teachers. The award is presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to the profession and their students. The committee believe that Mr Craig shows strength in areas of community engagement, creative design practices and his personal commitment to student success.

We can now reveal that Mr Craig is the recipient of the Teacher Excellence Award for 2017. Congratulations!!!

The statement below is by Mr Craig:

"My goal is to develop in students an appreciation of design and to impart a passion for design so that students have a detailed knowledge of design systems, conceptual applications, and the means to be able to find solutions to situations they may face. Design to me is the most important subject that could be studied as it encapsulates every part of our everyday lives. As a Christian designer and educator, I believe that the Lord is the ultimate designer. We are made in the image of Christ and as Christ is our father we too are called to all be designers, using our God given gifts to carry out the great commission. People should have the opportunity to develop and contribute their gifts and talents for Christ’s glory. There are millions however that don’t see the designer’s artwork that is fleeting. Look up and look beyond. Allow inspiration to arise again. There are new ideas, there are new opportunities, the creator of the whole universe avails them to us every evening and then again in the morning tide. He is a designer, He is a creator, He is unique and we are created in his indelible image."

Teachers who are nominated for the Teacher Excellence Award exemplify the following characteristics:

• Exemplary teaching characteristics including subject - matter expertise, enthusiasm for teaching, sensitivity to student learning needs, and good communication skills;

• An understanding of technology and engineering education as basic education for all students;

• Sustained professional growth in technology and engineering education, including the art of teaching;

• Ability to engage students in a hands-on/minds-on approach to learning about, with and for technology and engineering;

• Ability to foster curiosity and generate excitement about learning to understand and apply technology and engineering concepts and practices;

• A conviction that all students should and can learn about technology and engineering and apply these principles in everyday life;

• An understanding of the relationships between technology and engineering and other areas of study in the school;

• An experimental and innovative attitude in their approach to teaching;• Involvement with the Institute of Industrial Arts Technology Education and leadership within their faculty and school.