12 Jun 2006 - Teaching Awards 2006 - A Master of His Profession

Just seven years into his teaching career and Jonathan is already recognised as a master of his profession.

Under his charge children become instilled with the desire to learn, spellbound by his imaginative teaching. Jonathan has the innate ability to discover the talent in every child and bring it to the fore; no pupil passes through his class without being touched by the creative learning experience he provides. Engaging, encouraging and inspirational, Jonathan's style of teaching has grabbed not only children's attention but also teaching staff throughout his education authority, and his recognised abilities make him a star turn at workshops and peer training sessions.

Jonathan also exerts first class behaviour management skills, and even with children that are working through significant social and emotional challenges he elicits excellent and sustained results. His methods have also rubbed off on his Year 6 Teaching Assistant colleague whose classroom skills have blossomed under his leadership. Parents too have been queuing up to volunteer their time, motivated by the enthusiasm of their children for Jonathan's teaching style.

Everyone it seems wants a piece of his special teaching magic. Good job then that Jonathan seems to pop up almost anywhere around the school - from coaching the school football team to taking part in quiz nights and spinning the discs as the school's resident DJ!

Jonathan's career is undoubtedly destined for great things. The Director of Schools from this winner's education authority summed up Jonathan's skills saying: 'He has everything a Teacher of the Year awards winner should have: he's inspiring, engaging and affirming; Jonathan's classroom is a complete adventure with an outstanding quality of teaching and learning. His expectations are high, reflected by the standards his pupils achieve.' It was a view echoed by Jonathan's Headteacher who said: 'Jonathan provides the strongest possible role model for our pupils. It should be the right of each child to be taught, if only for a year, by a teacher of such talent, commitment, integrity and care.'