Extra Effort Rewarded

 

In 2012 I had one of the most MAGIC moments in my teaching career.  It was proving to be an average day with planning and teaching as normal until a couple of ladies in orange t-shirts arrived with a rather large orange box, followed by my Principal, teaching colleague from neighbouring class, Southland Times reporter and photographer in tow.  As the flowers were given, accolades flowed, photos were taken and resources were revealed, it was apparent I was being awarded for all that I gave to my job.  It was a very humbling experience and hard to comprehend.  It seemed what I did each day to empower my students was being highlighted as extraordinary. 

ROBYN EDIE/Fairfax NZ

New River Primary School teachers Jasmine Rolton (right) and Paula O’Neill unpack the box of prizes delivered Mrs Rolton, who won the Day Made Better award — after being nominated by Ms O’Neill.

      
A class of children at New River Primary School have a big box of goodies to unpack after their teacher was today recognised for going beyond the call of duty.
The box of prizes, including a digital camera and lots of other classroom extras like stamps and stickers, was delivered to Room 12 as a reward for their teacher, Jasmine Rolton, who had won the Day Made Better award for teachers who do more than the usual for their pupils.
Mrs Rolton was nominated for the prize, laid on by Office Max and run worldwide, by her colleague Paula O'Neill who teaches in next-door Room 11.
''She's very organised and passionate, she always has really cool things for the kids,'' Ms O'Neill said.
''We have her on about needing a mattress at work she does so much.''
Mrs Rolton teaches 20 Year 5 and 6 pupils.
She had paid for beanbags and swiss balls for the class, among many other things, and ran after-school kapa haka, technology clubs and touch teams. Her room is full of things to do and encourage children, many of which were paid for out of her own pocket.
''I'm passionate about learning,'' she said. ''I love to explain and give a platform for children to achieve. It's up to them if they want to stand on that platform ... I feel like I do an ordinary job, even if people call me crazy.''
One of Mrs Rolton's pupils, Anakie Murray-Campbell, said she was the best teacher in the world.
''She makes the classroom feel like home,'' Anakie said.
A gaggle of other pupils, including Nesion Dixon, Kylos Brett, Aidan Schultz, Kathryn Smith, Blade Walker and Lane O'Connell queued up to talk about Mrs Rolton.
Comments included ''she takes responsibility for us and always gives us presents'', ''she says reach for the stars'' and ''she's nice to us, and lets us do lots of fun stuff.''