Just hours after the Otago Girls' High School mathematics department head learnt she had won a national mathematics teaching award, she was back at the whiteboard, doing what she does best - teaching.
She received the Jim Campbell Award for Excellence in Teaching from the New Zealand Association of Mathematics Teachers (NZAMT) not only for her classroom work and running a successful maths department, but for working tirelessly to ensure the Otago region's maths teachers have access to up-to-date professional development which keeps alive their passion for mathematics.
Mrs Chapman was humble about the prestigious award.
''I'm pleased by the award. It's always really nice to be recognised for what we do.''
NZAMT president Gillian Frankcom-Burgess said Ms Chapman epitomised ''the reflective practitioner'' by continually using an inquiry cycle to modify her teaching.
''She is always willing to share her mistakes, as well as her successes, in order that she and her associates will all benefit from what she has learnt.''
Ms Chapman is a longstanding member of the Otago Mathematics Association.
Mrs Frankcom-Burgess said Ms Chapman's contributions to the OMA had been invaluable, and her dedication to the association was well recognised and appreciated by her peers.
''She spends a considerable amount of time sharing her ideas, her passion and her vision with Otago mathematics teachers.
''On top of being an invaluable committee member and helping out with the day-to-day running of the OMA, Jeanette has set up and maintained the association's current website and organised a variety of competitions and conferences, including an annual mini-conference held in association with the University of Otago's mathematics and statistics departments.
''These close links with Otago University and the wider research and educational community has meant that Jeanette has been in a position to be able to negotiate and cajole in order to provide teachers from Otago and Southland a very worthwhile professional development opportunity at minimal cost to the teachers or the association.''
These events helped raise the profile of mathematics in the Otago community, she said.
