'Teachers can help transform the lives of our children'
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INSPIRATIONAL teachers go out of their way to provide support, guidance and encouragement to ensure our children are equipped to achieve their full potential at school and in the world of work.
With its own record of excellence in education, TEFL Org UK understands how these qualities can have a positive lifelong impact. The Inverness-based organisation has inspired countless young people in its role as the UK’s largest and most accredited Teaching English as a Foreign Language course provider.
Fittingly, TEFL Org UK is supporting the first Highland Heroes Awards through sponsorship of the secondary teacher of the year category.
The awards, organised by Scottish Provincial Press, will recognise individuals from all walks of life throughout the Highlands who go beyond the call of duty to make a lasting difference to their communities.
Jennifer MacKenzie, managing director of TEFL Org UK, said: "We’re delighted here at TEFL Org UK to be supporting the secondary teacher of the year category in the inaugural Highland Heroes Awards.
"TEFL Org UK trains teachers from all over the Highlands on our courses each year. These teachers choose to complete a course either over a weekend or online, in their own time, because they are dedicated to helping students who have come from other parts of the world to perform to the best of their ability.
"Teachers support, develop and nurture their students in many ways, though, not just by taking courses with us.
"They take extracurricular activities to allow pursuits like hockey and drama to be taken at school, and they work hard to support students – our children – through difficult times.
"Whether educational or personal, teachers are there for students – they deal with worried parents, spend hours planning lessons to engage and educate our children, they travel with children and take responsibility for their welfare and safety, they engage and enthuse them in new topics and projects... the list is endless as to how secondary teachers can inspire and transform the lives of their students, our children.
"I think everyone leaves school with at least one teacher that they will always remember – and, if they’re lucky, several who inspired them to do better and be better.
"We have great teachers here in the Highlands, and as an ex-Dingwall Academy and Lochaber High School pupil I know just how great and inspiring our teachers can be.
"I would like to wish the best of luck to all the teachers who are nominated for this great new award."
Providing online, classroom and combined course options, TEFL Org UK offers the perfect opportunity for anyone to travel and explore new cultures while gaining valuable skills and experience in a paid teaching role, from central and South America to south-east Asia and everywhere in between.
Readers of five weekly newspapers published by SPP are being invited to nominate their local heroes in 12 categories, and entries have been coming in from across the north.
The deadline for entries in the 2017 Highland Heroes Awards is Monday.
A judging panel will draw up a shortlist of three nominees in each category, and a special supplement in early October will give details of how readers can vote for their favourites.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, on Thursday, November 9.
Businesses interested in supporting the awards are invited to contact Sarah Mackay on s.mackay@spp-group.com
