The awards celebrate outstanding tertiary educators who are making a difference to learners, their whānau and communities. A passionate lecturer, researcher, and industry speaker, Dr Hébert-Losier is one of 11 awardees across five different award categories.
The award’s citation describes her as “absolutely passionate and enthusiastic about her topics” and says three core values guide Dr Hébert-Losier’s teaching philosophy: build a strong foundation; teach with identity and integrity; and be student centric.
"I am sincerely humbled by this award and thank everyone who has helped me grow as an educator in Aotearoa New Zealand, including my students, my whānau, and the University of Waikato," says Dr Hébert-Losier.
In announcing Dr Hébert-Losier’s success, Ako Aotearoa also highlighted that she ensures a logical progression within and between the papers she teaches and builds a positive class environment by sharing more of herself and whānau.
She incorporates opportunities for whakawhanaungatanga from which she can build student interests and experiences into the curriculum material.
As one student said: “You go to quite extensive measures to help your students to learn.”
Dr Hébert-Losier was also recognised for striving to improve her practice, for example, through the development of a microlearning model, with interactive online activities and mixed-methods assessment strategies.
Beyond the classroom, Dr Hébert-Losier, who is based at the University’s Tauranga campus, is heavily involved with key industry bodies and national and community organisations.
The Ako Aotearoa Awards ceremony is set to be held at Parliament in November, where the Minister of Education will acknowledge the award recipients’ work and announce the winner of the Prime Minister’s Supreme Award.