Academy honour for top teacher

Newton Moore Senior High School teacher Tyril Houghton will take to the skies today and wing her way to the United States after beating more than 1400 applicants Australia-wide to win the National Educational Inspirational Teachers Award title for 2011.

Mrs Houghton, who is the acting head of mathematics at Newton Moore, will spend a week at the prestigious Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, taking part in the Space Academy for Educators program.

In the week that sees the 43rd anniversary of man’s mission to the moon, the former small wheatbelt town student will be looking to the stars with her peers from around the world.

‘‘I was at university when man landed on the moon and now, many years later, I get to see how that was done,’’ Mrs Houghton said.

‘‘I am really excited about this, it is a wonderful opportunity I have been given and it is a timely one, with WA moving to the forefront of science with the square kilometre array project coming to the North West in the next few years.

‘‘I will be able to work with students to show them how maths is relevant and works in the process of advancing science.

‘‘These are exciting times and I am so proud for this school that has achieved so much in recent years.

‘‘Winning this award goes to show you don’t have to be from a big private school to achieve.’’

After more than 40 years as an educator, the passionate teacher — who coordinates the school’s program for gifted and talented students — believes she is just getting her second wind.

‘‘The most amazing thing is that people think I am in the twilight of my years, but I think I am just hitting my straps— one might be wrinkly but one has wisdom,’’ she said with a chuckle.