THE prestigious Curtin University Teaching Excellence Award has gone to Sharon Ross of Northam.
It is one of this year’s Regional Achievement and Community Awards and she won against a strong field of finalists and nominees.
Dr Ross, principal lecturer at CY O’Connor Institute Northam was one of the eight category winners announced on Friday night at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Head of School, Education, Curtin University, Associate Professor Lina Pelliccione wasthere to present the award.
Almost 400 guests gathered from across the state to celebrate regional Western Australia’s high achievers and community contributors.
Other category winners were:
Perth Airport Events and Tourism Award - Country Music Club of Boyup Brook.
Rinehart Development of Northern Regional WA Award - Dadaru Pty Ltd of Wynhdam.
Insurance Commission of Western Australia Regional Safety Award - East Narrogin Primary School.
Horizon Power Leadership and Innovation Award – Richard Wells of Port Kennedy.
LandCorp Sustainability Award – City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Worldwide Printing Solutions Sports Award – Adrian Dodson-Shaw of Broome.
Prime Super Community Group of the Year Award – Boddington Hospital Auxiliary.
At the conclusion of the evening Department of Regional Development acting-Director Genera l Michelle Mackenzie presented Dr Ross as the overall state winner of the Department’s Regional Achievement and Community Award.
Dr Ross’ teaching practice focuses on involving and empowering her students and building their new skills on their existing strengths.
Creating innovative modifications in delivering the New Opportunities for Women program, Dr Ross has been a key figure in enabling women in the Wheatbelt to return to study.
She also designed an online teaching toolkit to assist lecturers teaching vocational courses to remote students.
Her e-learning strategies have enhanced access and participation for Indigenous, remote and disadvantaged learners struggling with literacy, numeracy and employability skills.
Winners each received a $2000 bank account from the Commonwealth Bank.
The awards night culminated a successful year with 250 nominations received from across regional WA.
