Top honour for ‘inspirational’ maths teacher who died at 36
AMUCH- LOVED teacher who died suddenly at the start of term has been honoured with a posthumous award.
Matthew Caine, 36, was named Teacher of the Year at the Cheshire Silk 106.9 FM Local Heroes Awards annual ceremony.
He was an ‘inspirational’ maths teacher at Tytherington School and received hundreds nominations, by far the highest number in the history of the awards.
Matthew had suffered a brain tumour and died on September 6 this year but had only been diagnosed less than a month earlier.
And colleagues and pupils at the school thought nominating him for the award - and him winning - would be a fitting tribute.
Emmanuel Botwe, headteacher at the school, on Manchester Road, said: “We are delighted that Matthew won and we want to thank everyone who nominated him.
“Incredibly he received over 800 nominations which is by far and away the highest number ever received by anyone in the history of the awards.
“I remember him as an inspirational teacher, brilliant person and always being willing to help others. He was a hugely popular member of staff.”
Matthew’s death came as a massive shock at the school as when term had finished for the summer holidays colleagues had no inkling of what was to come.
The Manchester City fan joined the school in September 2015 and lived in Cheadle with his wife Hayley and son Ben, three.
His funeral took place at St Michael and All Angels Church, Bramhall, on September 27.
Pupils and staff alike knew him as a teacher who would put students first and frequently give up his lunch, break or after school time to help students.
Hayley attended the Local Hero Awards ceremony, as did Matthew’s sister and father as well as Mr Botwe and the Tytherington School maths team.
Mr Botwe added: “Matthew always talked about how much he enjoyed his job. He was a passionate and talented teacher but I don’t think he ever truly realised how appreciated he was by his colleagues, parents and pupils.
“I know that he would have been absolutely thrilled to have received this award. His family and I are so incredibly proud of him.”