Teacher Fiona named Northern Ireland’s best

Teacher Fiona named Northern Ireland’s best

27 June 2012

A CARRYDUFF schoolteacher has been named the best in Northern Ireland.

Miss Fiona Kettle, from St. Ita’s Primary School, was awarded Best Teacher in Northern Ireland in this year’s Pearson Teaching Awards after being shortlisted from a record number of nominations.

The awards celebrate the valuable contribution made by teachers, teaching assistants and head teachers and are open to every school in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Primary two teacher Miss Kettle was secretly nominated for the award by four parents of children she taught last year.

The gruelling judging process took several months and included an endorsement from her principal, supervision of her teaching style over the course of a day and interviews with colleagues, pupils and parents.

Miss Kettle said she was stunned when the award was announced during a school assembly last week when she was presented with a trophy. She will attend a ceremony in the House of Commons in July when an overall UK winner will be announced.

Miss Kettle, who has been teaching at St. Ita’s Primary School for seven years, says she “just loves” her job.

“Each new class brings a whole new set of personalities, which makes it incredible,” she said. “It consumes you. I do not do what I do for the praise, but it is nice to have been recognised.

“I am on a real high and the kids are bouncing!”

Miss Kettle said she was “touched and overwhelmed” by the parents who had nominated her.

“It’s a joy to come in and teach these children every day and to have their parents nominate me,” she said. “It’s important to make these children realise how wonderful they are.”

The judges, who awarded Miss Kettle the top prize for the region, have described her as a “creative, vibrant and dedicated teacher with a dynamic and innovative teaching style, who shares her zest for learning with her pupils, inspiring each child to reach their maximum potential and always going ‘that extra mile’ to make a difference.”

“She is 100% aware of the needs of each and every child and adapts her teaching strategies appropriately,” they said.

Mr. Will Wyatt, chairman of the Teaching Awards Trust, said no one forgets a good teacher.

“They provide guidance to help their pupils reach their potential, set them on the right path or steer them from going down the wrong one,” he said.

“If you ask a current or former pupil to name their favourite teacher, almost all will have fond memories to share and it is this which the Pearson Teaching Awards champions.

“Congratulations to Fiona and all the finalists.”