Career change brings success for teacher

A STUDENT who swapped law for the classroom has been named as the country’s best new teacher.

Awards were also handed out to a chemistry teacher who brings her dog to class and is known for exploding pumpkins and a history teacher who turns students into MI5 agents.

They were among the 11 winners at the Pearson Teaching Awards 2011 at London’s Palace Theatre yesterday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rachael Keeble, 23, was named Outstanding New Teacher of the Year. She took a law degree at Durham University before voluntary work in a primary school convinced her to switch careers.

Her head teacher Pam Howell, told judges: “In 24 years of teaching I have never come across a newly-qualified teacher with such passion and determination for herself and for her pupils to succeed.”

History teacher of the Year was won by Richard Rodd, of Tendring Technology College in Essex while Nicki Bovey, head of chemistry at Saltash.net Community School, in Cornwall, was named Science Teacher of the Year.