Senior Tutor and Programme Co-ordinator, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Wellington Institute of Technology

"I constantly strive to adapt the learning outcomes of the course in order to meet the needs of the students, and use experiential learning skills, fun and humour in order to engage them."

“Amusing, empathetic, encouraging, entertaining, friendly, learned, practical, serious and zestful” are words used to describe this enthusiastic and committed teacher who has taught in community education for over 20 years. For the last 12 years Scott has taught a work-skill based programme for people with long term illness, injury or disability. His students often have low self esteem, lack confidence and exhibit negative behaviour that confirms their self-perception. Scott challenges them to turn those ‘negatives’ around and take responsibility for their own future goals. He engages students with learning experiences that build confidence, self esteem and motivation. His remarkable student retention and completion rates are testimony to his commitment and support.

Scott’s mantra “If it’s to be is up to me” has motivated students to realise their own potential and they graduate feeling confident and capable, having developed new mantras of their own, like “I AM a real clever dude” and “I CAN do anything”. His colleagues respect him, parents compliment him and students aspire to be just like him.