Otago Polytechnic educational development principal lecturer Maxine Alterio and University of Otago zoology senior lecturer Dr Phil Bishop were among 11 educators recognised at a recent function at Parliament hosted by Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce.
Marty Vreede, senior lecturer in printmaking at the Quay School of the Arts at the Universal College of Learning's Wanganui campus, won the top award - the Prime Minister's Supreme Award - and a cheque for $30,000.
Ms Alterio, Dr Bishop and eight others each received $20,000 to mark their sustained excellence in teaching.
Ms Alterio's role at Otago Polytechnic is to encourage students and staff to develop their own learning processes.
She also teaches writing courses and continues her research into learning through storytelling.
Ms Alterio has written two novels, several short stories and co-written an academic work.
Dr Bishop, is known throughout New Zealand for his passion for and knowledge of frogs.
He teaches from first-year to PhD level and has initiated several learning advances including the Biology Button (an electronic resource centre), the Gap Junction (an email discussion board), and the electronic comparative dissection guide.
He also helped design an interactive lecture theatre for teaching large groups.
Both Ms Alterio and Dr Bishop have also won teaching excellence awards from their respective institutions, Ms Alterio last year, and Dr Bishop in June this year.
