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Gabriela Maldonado wins ISNZ Honours Award

Kristin Head of Languages Gabriela Maldonado has been recognised with an Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ) Honours Award at the recent ISNZ Annual Conference in Christchurch. 

 

Gabriela received the award for Teaching and Professional Development, a fantastic recognition for a very dedicated staff member. 

 

The school's nomination was supported by members of her faculty who recognised how Gabriela has shifted the focus of language teaching at Kristin. She brings her experience as a classroom practitioner, sharing clear and insightful ideas and vision with the rest of the faculty. 

 

Gabriela has supported faculty members to improve their skills in Concept-Based Learning, using examples from her own practice to demonstrate a practical approach to embedding these new skills. She has also been instrumental in bringing mindfulness to the classroom, seeing positive impacts in her students.

 

She has built a strong culture of celebrating languages and different cultures throughout the school and the wider school community, which is shown during ‘International Celebration Week’, a key initiative that has been running since she started as Head of Faculty which has the aim of showcasing and celebrating our diverse cultural backgrounds.

 

In her time as Head of Languages, through her leadership of the faculty and teaching, Kristin has seen a rise in students pursuing language learning as they see its value in life far beyond schooling.

 

“Intercultural understanding and the ability to navigate a complex world are fundamental skills in today’s global world that are central in the language classroom,” says Gabriela. 

 

Gabriela has also been a key player in working with our Spanish debating teams, competing in the STANZA National Spanish Debating competition, which our Kristin team has brilliantly won the last two years in a row. 

 

“Gabriela is an exceptional classroom practitioner, mentor, leader and friend whose contribution to the Kristin community has been deservedly recognised with this award,” says Senior School Principal David Boardman.