Kentish Express Ashford & District
Search is on for county’s Teacher of the Year 2014
The search for the Kent Teacher of the Year is under way after the 2014 contest was launched at the start of this month.
Nominations have opened for members of the public to nominate Ashford’s best teaching and non-teaching staff within schools, inclusive of volunteers such as governors.
Each January, parents and others with involvement in local schools eagerly nominate those outstanding educators who go above and beyond the call of duty for the benefit of their pupils.
Award categories include primary, secondary, newly qualified teacher, non-teaching staff including dinner ladies and caretakers, plus a volunteer award.
A panel of judges select winners from each local authority areas, and the winners are announced at an awards ceremony in May.
The launch for this year’s contest – organised by the KM Charity Team – was held at Hempstead House Hotel near Sittingbourne, which will later host the awards bash. Other community-minded sponsors of the annual competition attended the launch, including Amy Wood of Three R’s Teacher Recruitment based in Henwood, Sally Williamson from Project Salus based in Smeeth, and Patrick Tootal OBE of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust based at Capel-le-Ferne.
“Kent Teacher of the Year was started to mark the vital contribution that teaching staff make to our community,” said KM Charity Team chief executive Simon Dolby. “The awards recognise the expertise and dedication that is the hallmark of an outstanding teacher.”
Additional sponsors of the awards include Canterbury Christ Church University, Brachers, Independent Music Productions, Nova IT Solutions, Southern Educational Leadership Trust, Social Enterprise Kent, KCC, Questor Insurance, and The Marlowe Theatre.
For more information or to nominate, visit www. kentteacheroftheyear.co.uk