Teacher's big heart earns top marks

Amy Holder's Year 6 students have nothing but praise for their award-winning teacher. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Not many primary school teachers are so close to their students that they invite their entire Year 6 class to their wedding - but Amy Holder isn't just any teacher.

The 24-year-old Wakaaranga School teacher always goes above and beyond the call of duty in her Pakuranga classroom and considers her 26 students to be part of the "family".

She not only leads by example and inspires her students but has recently helped them through the sudden death of 10-year-old classmate Keremoana Kingi-Keefe.

Yesterday, she was rewarded for her dedication and leadership when she won the OfficeMax "A Day Made Better" competition which acknowledges eight teachers nationwide who have gone beyond the call of duty to provide the best education and the safest environment for their pupils.

She and her students were given $1000 worth of arts and crafts, stationery and office supplies in a presentation in their classroom.

She was also given a bunch of flowers and a certificate.

Miss Holder was nominated by principal Brent Jenkin because of the leadership she showed after Keremoana's death and for the way she immersed and committed herself to the school and students in a way which "belies her experience".

Yesterday, a surprised and excited Miss Holder said the prize came "completely out of the blue".

She believed the prize would help to cheer up her students.

"We have got a really sad event we will always remember and now we have got something happy we will always remember."

Miss Holder has not only invited her students to her wedding in three weeks but has asked them to sing during the ceremony.

"They are so special and I want them there to share the day."

When the Herald asked the class what they liked about Miss Holder there was no holding back.

Ross Steyn described her as "energetic and a fun-loving teacher", and Georgia Bradley said she had "a really, really big heart".

And Vanessa Zhu added: "She's the best teacher and the funniest teacher ever because she is always happy and smiling and singing and dancing around the class."