Top teachers get awards

Isabel Russell: School and Community Involvement Award

Fourteen teachers in Northern Ireland have come top of their class after receiving special awards for being the best in their profession.

Almost 4,000 teachers and teaching assistants across the province were nominated and the winners announced on Monday at a special ceremony in Belfast's Waterfront Hall.

Education Minister Jane Kennedy paid tribute to the professionalism and dedication of the recipients of the Teaching Awards 2003 for Northern Ireland.

She said: "I have been particularly impressed by the leadership and professionalism of both, from the recently qualified to the more experienced, all of whom provide a high quality service for our children.

"Their commitment to innovation and improvement in our schools through personal professional development is a major strength in our education system."

She said the winners and eight commendees had displayed "the excellence in teaching for which Northern Ireland is justly renowned".

"It is the high calibre of teachers and classroom assistants, represented here today, whose commitment to growth, change and development makes the continuous improvement in the overall quality of education happen."

The winners each get money and equipment worth £3,000 for their schools, and qualify for the national awards ceremony.

List of winners

Guardian Award - outstanding new teacher (primary) - Christopher McIntyre, Millburn Primary School, Coleraine, County Londonderry.

Guardian award for outstanding new teacher (secondary) - Julie Graham, Hunterhouse College, Finaghy, Belfast.

Teacher training agency award for science teaching - Stephen Sames, Aquinas Grammar School, Belfast.

Julie Graham: Outstanding New Teacher Award

Award for excellence in special needs teaching in a primary school - Suzanne Knowles, Gracehill Primary School, Ballymena, County Antrim.

Award for excellence in special needs teaching in a secondary school - Louise Davey, Dundonald High School.

Teacher of the Year (primary) - Jim Matthews, St Joseph's primary school, Crumlin, County Antrim.

Teacher of the Year (secondary) - Jackie Stewart, Downshire Secondary School, Carrickfergus, County Antrim.

School and community involvement - Isabel Russell, St Gabriel's secondary school, Belfast, County Antrim.

Lifetime achievement - Ann Todd, Dalriada School (preparatory), Ballymoney, County Antrim.

Teaching assistant of the year (secondary) - Andrea Cullen, Brownlow College, Craigavon, County Armagh.

The BT Award for most creative use of ICT - Eileen McStocker, St Pius X High School, Magherafelt, County Londonderry.

Promethean award for school leadership (primary) - William McElhinney, Ashlea Primary and Nursery School, Tullally, Londonderry.

Promethean award for school leadership (special school) - Sandra Long, Altnagelvin Hospital School and Tuition Service, Londonderry.

Award for teaching assistant of the year (primary) - Roisin Glackin, Dungannon Primary School, County Tyrone.