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Pretoria - The National Teaching Awards took place on Wednesday night, recognising teaching excellence in the country.

The Gauteng province received the most awards with two teachers receiving awards, and the Principal of Wendywood Primary School Principal Heather Smith scooping the Lifetime Achievement Award.

At the awards ceremony, held at the Presidential Guest House and attended by President Kgalema Motlanthe and Minister of Education Naledi Pandor, Ms Smith said teaching children was her life-long passion.

Ms Smith has been a dedicated teacher for 37 years, drawing her inspiration from the many teachers, parents and children who have told her over the years that she was making a difference.

She said because teaching Life Orientation to Grade 1 to 7 pupils she had to help teenagers deal with all sorts of issues such as death, adoption, diversity, bullying, drugs and HIV and AIDS.

Ms Smith believed teamwork was critical. "I look for people's skills and allow them to flourish, I put them in positions where they can lead."

She also guides the school's outreach effort in which they support the Dr Knak Primary School in nearby Alexandra.

Anette Rossouw a mathematics teacher at Hoerskool Florida received the Excellence in Secondary School Teaching award and Thabo Lebina from Ilinge High School won the Excellence in Secondary School Leadership.

Mr Lebina from Ilinge High School said his own experience of growing up in a difficult circumstance motivated him and he strived to instil this drive into the learners he taught.

"I grew up in a poverty-stricken ghetto and at the time had no idea I would reach where I am today and this is what drives me to get the best out of my learners. If I could do it, so can they, all they need is motivation," he said.

The Education Minister said the department had realised that there were thousands of teachers who have embraced quality and excellence in their teaching.

"The fact that we continue to see increased numbers of teachers reaching these high levels of performance gives us hope that we have started to walk on the high road to progress and success," Ms Pandor said. She added that the department viewed their achievement and contribution with great pride as they represent the good that our schools can and should offer.

"By having them in this way with our President here, we seek to convey a message and challenge to all our teachers, the message is do all that you can to provide South Africa with quality teaching," she said.

Jennifer-Ann Daniels from St Joseph's Home RC Primary School for Chronically Ill Learners in Western Cape scooped the Excellence in Inclusive education and Special Needs Teaching award.

She said: "On the first day of school every year I see the learners in my class as blank slates and I like to think that by the end of the year I have filled each of these slates in a positive way."

As an educator at a school for chronically ill learners, Ms Daniels has to create individual programme for each learners in her multi-grade unit focussing on literacy, numeracy and life skills.

Each morning her class gathers in the school's prayer to reflect on things and get their illnesses off their brains.

"These kids have a unique set of problems, so one has to think outside the box when trying to assist them, often they are in poor health and lack motivation to be in class so I have to find ways to make lessons as enjoyable as possible," Ms Daniels said.

The Teacher Awards are held every year to focus public attention on the positive aspects of education, thereby raising the public image of the teaching profession and to honour dedicated, creative and effective teachers and schools.

Through the awards schools are also encouraged to employ best practice in schools.

Other awards included Excellence in Primary School Leadership which was won by Sapphire Road Primary School Teacher Bruce Damons from Eastern Cape; Erica Magerman from Laerskool Aggeneys in Northern Cape walked away with the Excellence in Primary School Teaching award while Ntshwephepha Public School teachers in Free State, Nankie Masilo, Kedijang Sefatsa and Moji Mafohla were awarded with the Excellence in Early Childhood Development while Thami Jili from Manaye Public Adult Learning in KwaZulu-Natal won the Excellence in Adult Basic Education. -

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