As the title says, I’d like to do something to recognise a really fantastic teacher. This is someone who has gone above and beyond to support my child at school with anxiety and autism related challenges.
We got her a gift for Christmas (and will again at the end of the year) and I’ve expressed appreciation via my child.
However I’m wondering if we could nominate her for a teaching award or similar.
Are there any teachers here who can recommend well-known/recognised award processes or something else that would be a way to give a great teacher the recognition they deserve?
7 comments
If you’re in Scotland, there’s the [Scottish education awards](https://www.scottisheducationawards.co.uk/).
The best thing you can do though is write a letter. Either you or your child (depending on age and ability, obviously). Something heartfelt and sincere and handwritten. These are the things that get put safely away and brought out whenever teachers are feeling low, and treasured forever.
As someone else said, a letter to the head teacher and, if applicable the head of the trust the school is a part of.
You can also nominate them for a Pearson award:
https://www.teachingawards.com/the-2023-pearson-national-teaching-awards/
https://globalteacherprize.org/
Please put in writing how much you appreciate this teacher – give one copy to the head, and one copy to her (eg email to head and CC-ing her in). Try and be as specific as possible and give many examples eg “my child struggles with X and teacher has done Y and Z which has lead to ABC improvements for my child.”
The teacher can then use this as evidence for achieving (excellence in) the [Teacher’s Standards](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/665522/Teachers_standard_information.pdf) which will be extremely helpful for them to negotiate to move up a pay grade, or as proof of skills when applying for a new job.
This is so much more helpful than writing an (equally heartfelt) private thank you card to the teacher – while both types of written thanks will make the teacher feel recognised and appreciated, only one can be used to leverage up their professional development (and £££).
Wine or chocolate. Much of it.
Never “Best teacher” mugs every primary school teacher has like 30 of the damn things.
Not a teacher, I just help make use of a teachers gifts…
As a teacher, a letter to the head or governors or director of the trust goes a really long way.
My mum is a (brilliant) teacher and on a few occasions she’s received letters from kids saying how much she’s helped and I promise you they mean more to her than any gift or nomination. Putting thanks in writing is definitely the way to go imo.