TODAY attention turns to the third category in our countdown to the Examiner Community Awards.
The glittering night at the John Smith’s Stadium on Thursday, May 23, will thrust the spotlight on everything that’s positive about Huddersfield.
The awards are split into 14 categories and we are profiling every one between now and the night itself so you know just who has been nominated and shortlisted.
The winners will be revealed at the event which is hosted by ITN newsreader Nina Hossain.
Today we reveal the shortlist for Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Stafflex.
STAFFLEX is Huddersfield’s leading independent recruitment company and is delighted to sponsor the award for Teacher of the Year for the fifth time.
Stafflex provide and promote the use of temporary engineering, industrial and commercial staff to local industry. In these uncertain times, Stafflex believe that the use of temporary skilled and unskilled labour can take the heat out of human resource problems by providing a flexible, fit-for-purpose workforce when needed and for as long as required.
In particular, the education division of Stafflex is proud to be a provider of supply teachers and support staff to local schools and colleges.
Stafflex provides a personal service to schools and staff alike and will always go the extra mile to put the right teacher in the right placement. The 24/7 hotline 01484 351010 is always available for emergency bookings.
We at Stafflex have nothing but admiration for the skill and commitment prevalent throughout education in Kirklees and consider ourselves privileged to be able toŠdeal positively with such consummate professionals on a daily basis.
ANY of Shazia Azhar’s pupils seeking a role model need look no further than Shazia herself.
The pioneering Edgerton mother-of-three manages to combine a successful career with a happy family life and an assured place in her local community.
In January, having just given birth to her third son, Haaris, she took over as headteacher of Purlwell Infant and Nursery School in Batley, becoming the first woman of Pakistani origin to be appointed as headteacher in Kirklees.
The former Greenhead College student always saw education as her calling, but wanted experience in industry first and worked as a laboratory manager in Swansea.
From 2002 to 2007 she was Kirklees Council’s ethnic minority achievement consultant, working to improve results for children with English as a second language.
She is passionate that all children, of whatever race or creed, should have every opportunity to achieve their full potential.
And since first roaring through the Purlwell school gates on her powerful Suzuki Burgman scooter, Shazia, 43, has blown away a few preconceptions and wasted no time in setting the school on course to be outstanding.
Among her innovations are thrice-weekly guided reading sessions and Golden Time – 40 minutes of sports, drama and puppet-making on a Friday for all – except misbehaving children.
Needless to say, behaviour has improved as the kids love the new activities. Some 99% of pupils are Muslims and attend mosque several nights a week, so don’t normally have the time or opportunity for extra-curricular activities.
Interactive classroom boards, grants for books, a community library and extra training for teachers and support staff are just a few of the things introduced since January.
Shazia said: “All children should aspire and believe that they can make a contribution. It is about having role models.
“Girls should be presented with equal opportunities and I hope that by being in my position, people will see that a woman can have a career and be true to her community.”
She added that she was “shocked and delighted” to be shortlisted.
ROGER Carrier is a teacher who can’t wait to get up and go to work.
And that passion has remained undimmed since he first started at Moor End Academy (formerly High School) 40 years ago as a fresh-faced graduate straight out of Huddersfield Polytechnic.
Over the last four decades, the legendary ‘King of Geography’ at the Crosland Moor secondary school has left an indelible imprint not only on students, but also on the school itself.
His indefatigable enthusiasm, enquiring mind, sense of humour and positive attitude have helped to shape the lives of thousands of young people.
Like the saplings he planted in the school grounds as a young man, now standing tall and strong, Roger, 61, has nurtured and inspired not one, but three generations of local youngsters.
Assistant principal Debra Awty said: “Winning this award would be true recognition for the countless number of past and present students and staff who have been inspired and influenced by Roger’s infectious interest in the Humanities.
“With an eagerness belying his age, he’s constantly looking for new technologies to further enhance our teaching within the faculty, school and beyond.
“Roger has probably had the biggest influence on the school to date. We speak to countless parents at parents’ evenings who wish to spend more time talking about ‘Mr Carrier’. We often get comments like ‘the best teacher I ever had’.”
Roger has become the school’s de Bono ambassador, a role in which he challenges preconceptions and encourages creative and positive thinking among students and staff.
He was responsible for organising the school’s stone circle installed for the Millennium and also introduced and runs the annual film festival.
He said: “I am absolutely astonished, I’ve never won anything in my life – except for a box of toffees for singing ‘Yesterday’ when I was 14!
“I have always been fascinated by new ideas in education and I look forward to getting up and going into school. I love our kids – they are fantastic – and I am learning something new every day.”
MOLLIE Sumner’s passion for teaching remains undimmed – and she is loved by her pupils.
She retires this summer from Newsome High School and Sports College after 29 years in the profession and her motivation and dedication is an inspiration to her colleagues. She’s always eager to take on new challenges, push educational boundaries and do everything with a big dose of infectious enthusiasm.
Mollie has always moved with – or ahead of – the times to ensure she makes the best contribution she can. She is always involved in extra-curricular activities, including fundraising events and annual school trips abroad.
Mollie arrived at Newsome as head of classics in 1984 when she taught Latin and lively classical civilisation lessons.
Mollie then learned British Sign Language and took an MA in deaf education before taking over Newsome High’s deaf unit, which caters for children from across Kirklees.
She said: “I have always enjoyed a challenge and feel I can make a real difference in my current role.”
Wendy Jackson, from Newsome’s senior leadership team, said: “If you asked Mollie about the secret of her success she would modestly tell you that her drive comes from wanting the best possible outcome for the students and she has a very clear view that the needs of students should always come first. Over the years she has put in hours and hours of time into many extra-curricular activities to ensure that students are given new opportunities to broaden their experiences.
“When the staff are asked to volunteer and give up their time freely for students, Mollie does not hesitate to offer her services. She has contributed to endless fundraising events such as Race for Life, Children In Need and Red Nose Day.
“Mollie has also taken part in school plays and pantomimes, as well as helping behind the scenes.
“She has also served as a long standing member of the school choir, taking part in many events, and has led the school signing choir on many occasions, giving students with hearing impairment the opportunity to access and take part in concerts, developing their sense of belonging, self-esteem, confidence and skills.
“Over the years it would be impossible to count the number of young people who have benefited from the contribution Mollie has consistently made, from her teaching and from her kindness and understanding as a true professional.”
