Jan Wilson Named in National Pearson Teaching Awards Shortlist
Jan Wilson is one of eight people shortlisted from thousands of nominations in the ‘Teacher of the year in a primary school’ award category.
The Pearson Teaching Awards are in their 20th year and celebrate exceptional teachers. They were founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam and recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they teach.
Jan, who was anonymously nominated will now be visited by a judging panel who will observe her teaching and meet with parents and staff at The Mount School York. Silver winners will be announced on Thank a Teacher Day on Friday 22 June.
Selected from thousands
Rachel Capper, Head of The Mount Junior School congratulates Jan on her shortlisting, saying “I am delighted for Jan. To be selected from the thousands of teachers nominated to the final 8 is a fantastic achievement that is thoroughly deserved. Jan inspires children, parents and colleagues with her passion and dedication to educating young children. She is a creative person who works tirelessly to provide children with opportunities and experiences in the classroom and beyond. We are looking forward to the judges visiting the School and witnessing Jan’s enthusiasm and dedication in action.”
Jan said, “It goes without saying that it is an honour to be nominated and to have reached the final eight candidates is a very humbling experience. Throughout my career I have had the privilege of working with supportive colleagues who seek to nurture in our pupils that greatest and most powerful of things: an enthusiastic child with an enquiring mind.”
Jan has taught at The Mount School York for 26 years and during this time has contributed to all aspects of School life from teaching Nursery to working in the boarding house, to leading Forest School and outdoor learning to introducing the use of technology and iPads into her classroom.
Performing Arts
During her time at The Mount Jan has made a massive contribution to the Performing Arts, producing spectacular performances for pupils from the age of 3 to 18. Highlights have included Oliver, The Lion King and The Wizard of Oz. The upcoming production ‘It’s Time’ is eagerly anticipated by the whole School community and is sure to be a culmination of Jan’s creativity and her ability to inspire and motivate all pupils and giving them the confidence to perform.
Below are some of the comments Parents of pupils at The Mount Junior School provided to the shortlisting panel.
“All four of my daughters have benefited hugely not only from her teaching, firm but fair, but from her boundless energy and creativity. Jan Wilson is an exceptional teacher in every way and the girls and myself have been really lucky to know and be taught by her.”
“My son is only 5 but Jan is able to utterly captivate his attention and imagination. He is consistently treated as an individual, his ideas are listened to and his confidence has blossomed. Jan practices a perfect balance of high expectations and fun – her classroom is full of laughter and my son enthusiastically looks forward to every day he spends there.”
“Jan Wilson is a dedicated, caring and passionate teacher. Her enthusiasm for teaching is reflected every day on the smiling faces of her pupils.”
“Jan works tirelessly and selflessly well beyond the normal school day to provide her pupils with an education and experience which enables them to develop and grow to become confident, independent, and learned individuals.”