Katie Pennicott has been teaching for 20 years, with experience from Years 1–8, and has been a deputy principal for 12 years. Passionate about teaching, she has created shared progressions, goals and expectations across the entire school, with vocabulary that is consistent between classes, and developed an innovative curriculum system that reflects deliberate, timely, targeted teaching. Katie’s students know how to succeed because they know she cares, expects the best and gives her best. She also enjoys developing best practice in her colleagues, and mentors her entire staff through observations, feedback and professional development. In 2016, Katie was a finalist in the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Education. She won the ASG NEiTA Inspirational Educator Regional Award. In 2017, Invercargill Middle School was a joint winner of the Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award at the Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards. In 2018 Katie won the ASG National Excellence in Teaching Award. She is currently working towards her Masters degree.