Moray and Banffshire Heroes Awards: Vote for Secondary Teacher of the Year
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VOTING has opened in the Moray and Banffshire Heroes awards.
Get voting for your local heroes.
There are 12 different categories and the winners will be revealed on Thursday, April 20 at Brodie Countryfare.
A special Hero of Heroes will also be announced on the night.
You have until March 26 to cast your vote.
Go to www.hnmedia.co.uk/morayheroes/ to support your favourite.
Speyside High School modern languages teacher David Burns makes learning fun and brings boundless positivity to the classroom.
Also an accomplished musician, Mr Burns has clearly hit the right note with his students, their families and colleagues.
A nomination applauded his enthusiasm for teaching and for creating a hugely positive experience.
It said: "He has a great attitude, being hugely respected and bringing positivity to the school by creating engaging and exciting lessons for students.
"He is an incredible musician, playing countless instruments and is a leading part of the school's teacher band.
"He learned the entirety of Tam o' Shanter and recited it perfectly with great enthusiasm which entertained and amazed everyone."
Mr Burns has been teaching for 17 years and has been at Speyside High School for five years.
He explained that one of the most rewarding parts of his role is working with students outside of the classroom: "It's all the extra things you get to be involved in outside the classroom, like helping out in the music department, school events, Burns Supper, the mountain bike club - all these extra things where you see your pupils in a different context and work with them on something different."
Mr Burns was 'pleasantly surprised' to have been nominated for a Heroes award.
Jacquie McLeish is a business teacher at Keith Grammar School.
Mrs McLeish has been teaching at the school for 10 years but only became a teacher at the age of 42.
She said: "I left school at 16 with no qualifications at all.
"I was working in various administrative jobs but as they years went on I thought 'I would like to do more'.
"I went to university when I was 39 and then I became a teacher at 42.
"I am always saying to pupils, that whilst exams give you choices, it's not the end of the world if you do not achieve the results you hoped for.
"Last year I completed a diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Eating Disorders.
"I chose these areas as more and more young adults are presenting with mental health issues, such as anciety, stress and eating disorders.
"I want to do the best I can for our young adults, and support them as they embark on their journeys through life."
A nomination said: "I can't thank Jacquie enough for how much she has helped me when I was struggling.
"Definitely the best teacher ever and an absolute gem of a woman."
Mrs McLeish added: "I just try and do the best I can for our young adults."
Carrie McWilliam is an English teacher at Speyside High School and has been leading the way in helping the school support equality and diversity.
She was the joint winner of the GTCS Saroj Lal award which celebrated the work of teachers who challenge discrimination and promote equality and diversity.
She was instrumental in restarting a former LGBT+ group allowing pupils to meet and talk in a safe space, and developing a glossary for teaching staff and pupils to help inform the whole school community about terminology and identify offensive behaviour.
She said: "I took it upon myself to initiate staff training for LGBTQ+ inclusive education but also creating a curriculum that's representative of equality and diversity; including different diabilites, races, genders, sexualities and cultures.
"So the rural kids that come to the school leave here knowing more about the world around them - it's also good for the kids to see that we, teachers, are still learning."
She added: "The kids are the best thing about the job; working with them, seeing how they tick, and doing well for themselves.
"Once you know them better, you know how to help them better.
"It's really nice to think there are people out there who took the time, it makes me feel appreciated."
Buckie High School teacher Jenna Ogg has received admiration and thanks from both colleagues and families.
Ms Ogg heads up the business studies and computing department and is also the career ready coordinator at the school, supporting pupils to gain confidence and prepare for when they take the big step into the workplace.
A nomination praised her dedication:
"It was clear to me at an early stage what a fantastic rapport Jenna had with the students and she always seemed to go the extra mile to ensure they felt supported in the career ready programme.
"With Jenna's drive and enthusiasm, any young person in her class will be offered every possible opportunity to progress and shown encouragement and support."
Jenna has been teaching for seven years and has been at Buckie High School for around five years.
She said: "The most important thing for me is building a relationship with the pupils.
"When you get a good relationship, you see them develop, they want to work hard.
"I love pupils coming to me and feeling they have achieved something.
"I want to support pupils in getting to where they want to be in life."
"I never expected it at all.
"I'm delighted.
"I'm glad all my hard work is paying off."
