Mary Flaherty (70) won the award for excellence in teaching.
The award was established in 2006, by existing Fellows of the association, and winners receive matai and pounamu bookends as part of the award.
As well as demonstrating good teaching performance, Mrs Flaherty won the award for excelling in her ability to inspire good performance, encourage confident performance, be an excellent role model of speaking and of language, and be creative and imaginative in her teaching style.
Mrs Flaherty said she was delighted and surprised to win the award.
A former pupil, who wished to remain anonymous, was one of many people to nominate Mrs Flaherty for the award.
She said a wide range of students of varying ages and abilities had benefited from Mrs Flaherty’s tutelage — from 6-year-olds to all the prefects at a local high school, to businessmen, businesswomen and students with special needs.
"Mary always adapts her teaching style ... to best cater for her students.
"Mary has a number of diploma students that she helps achieve high standards. She inspired me to become a teacher.
"Mary Flaherty is an ideal candidate to receive the Fellows Award for Excellence in Teaching as her high energy teaching style enables her students to reach the best of their abilities," the anonymous former pupil said.
