A Rotorua teacher has been recognised for her love and passion for teaching at a school she used to attend.
St Michael's Catholic School teacher Sara Mines was "shocked and humbled" when her principal and representatives of OfficeMax dropped into her Room 4 class yesterday to present her with a bouquet of flowers, a framed certificate, morning tea for the staff and $1000 worth of stationery for her class.
Mrs Mines was among 15 teachers chosen throughout the country to be recognised for the great work they do in the OfficeMax A Day Made Better programme. A panel of principals chose the recipients from hundreds of nominations.
Principal Shelly Fitness said there were many reasons why she nominated Mrs Mines for the award. Room 4 had been transformed into a modern learning environment with pot plants, bean bags and a sofa, using Mrs Mines' own time and money. She was also a staff representative on the Parent Teacher Association and organised exercise bootcamps each Friday afternoon for the staff, she said.
"In the last two weeks she has organised the grandparents' day, bookfest, talent quest and the speech competition and she had been sick during that time as well," Miss Fitness said.
For Mrs Mines the recognition came as a surprise.
Her dedication to the school stems from being a former student. "It feels like I'm home, like I've come in a full circle. I love teaching and it's about the kids ..."
OfficeMax account manager Lance Murray said Mrs Mines was one of two in the Bay of Plenty to receive the A Day Made Better award. The other was Rochelle Watson of Te Puke Primary School.