'˜It's the best job in the world' says Gainsborough teacher after winning national award

A Gainsborough teacher has been honoured for her hard work during a national celebration of teaching.
Hillcrest Early Years Academy teacher Laura McDonald has won a Pearson Teaching Award.Hillcrest Early Years Academy teacher Laura McDonald has won a Pearson Teaching Award.
Hillcrest Early Years Academy teacher Laura McDonald has won a Pearson Teaching Award.

Laura McDonald, of Hillcrest Early Years Academy, won a silver Pearson teaching award for her commitment to providing a consistent excellence in teaching.

And to celebrate her success, Hillcrest Academy organised a special assembly, where the parents and children who nominated her had the chance to celebrate the award with Laura and hear a thank-you speech.

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Upon receiving her award, she said: “It’s a massive surprise to receive this award, for literally doing my job.

Hillcrest Early Years Academy teacher Laura McDonald has won a Pearson Teaching Award. Laura is pictured with pupils Dominic Stainton, six, Rio Ker, seven, Lucas Caneireo, six, and Logan Caneireo, six.Hillcrest Early Years Academy teacher Laura McDonald has won a Pearson Teaching Award. Laura is pictured with pupils Dominic Stainton, six, Rio Ker, seven, Lucas Caneireo, six, and Logan Caneireo, six.
Hillcrest Early Years Academy teacher Laura McDonald has won a Pearson Teaching Award. Laura is pictured with pupils Dominic Stainton, six, Rio Ker, seven, Lucas Caneireo, six, and Logan Caneireo, six.

“However, it’s the best job in the world and the children make it magic every day.”

She will now join fellow silver award-winners, along with three Scottish Education Award winners and three winners from Wales, at the 20th annual awards ceremony which will be held on October 21 in London.

The October ceremony will be filmed and broadcast by the BBC as a show of excellence in education, with the title for this year’s ceremony being Britain’s Classroom Heroes.

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Commenting on the announcement of this year’s silver award winners, Rod Bristow, Pearson UK president, praised all the teachers who had been nominated for an award.

He said: “A huge congratulations to all those receiving a silver trophy.

“They should feel extremely proud of their achievements and join an inspirational group of teaching award winners from the past two decades.

“It is so vital to recognise and celebrate those in the teaching profession, for their commitment to education and for the impact they have on young people’s lives.”

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The awards ceremony in London is where Laura and other silver trophy winners will find out if they have won one of 12 Gold Plato Awards – the UK’s “Oscars for Teachers”.

Celebrated author and former Children’s laureate, Michael Morpurgo, who is also president of the Teaching Awards trust, heaped praise on Laura and other teachers in the UK.

He said: “I think above all else, a teacher should be a friend – and that’s not an easy thing to do when there are 35 children out there.

“With these awards we are shining a light on these inspirational individuals whose efforts and commitment so often go uncelebrated.”

Laura discovered her nomination on Thank a Teacher Day, which celebrates the work of teachers nationally.

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