Dunoon Grammar School teacher in finals of Teacher of the Year Awards

A business studies teacher from Dunoon Grammar School has been shortlisted for the coveted honour of Teacher of the Year at the Scottish Education Awards 2010.

Suzanne Welsh was selected by a panel of judges for her commitment and creative teaching methods which have helped to engage pupils in new learning activities.

Suzanne has set up and runs a lunchtime club for pupils called My Information Technology and Enterprise Club (MITEC) which helps first and second year pupils make friends while learning about new software that could form part of their IT course at school.

The club also supports pupils to plan and run a series of enterprise projects that help children to consider business decisions.  So far, pupils have organised a number of activities for the school including a Burns Supper, roses for Valentines Day, school t-shirts, participating at the Scottish Learning Festival and a St Andrew’s Day Extravaganza.

Her work has inspired pupils, teaching colleagues and employers in the local community.  The judges selected Suzanne as a worthy finalist to honour her committed approach to learning that has ensured that pupils have the opportunity to meet their potential and become confident learners and responsible citizens.

Councillor Isobel Strong, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for Education and Lifelong Learning, says: ‘This is a very high profile awards scheme, and one in which Argyll and Bute has had a great deal of success in the past.

‘We are extremely fortunate in that we have an abundance of excellent teachers and schools in our area, and individuals such as Suzanne have proved an inspiration to the many young people lucky enough to have been involved with them.

‘I am delighted that Suzanne’s hard work and dedication is being recognised in this way. We will all look forward to hearing about the awards ceremony, where I am sure she will prove a tremendous ambassador not just for her profession and her school, but for Argyll and Bute as well’.

Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, says: ‘The reality of Scottish education is that we have hundreds of thousands of good pupils, taught by tens of thousands of excellent teachers within thousands of great schools. The Scottish Education Awards give us the chance to recognise this and reward the best practice taking place right across the country.

Individuals such as Suzanne Welsh reflect this excellence and are very important in inspiring our young people to learn and develop.”

The organisers have thanked local people for nominating the shining stars of education in Argyll and Bute, who have shown great dedication and commitment to pupils and the community.

The Scottish Education Awards, now in their ninth year, recognise and reward best practice in Scottish classrooms and highlight the achievements of dedicated individuals who have helped young people fulfil their learning potential.

The finalists have been chosen by a specially selected panel of judges who select a winner from each category which will be announced at an award ceremony on Friday 18 June 2010 in Glasgow.

Further information is at the Scottish Education Awards website.