THREE women are in the running for Primary and Nursery Teacher of the Year at this week's 2022 Education Awards.

The award, sponsored by Born in Bradford, will be one of nine presented at the Education Awards, on tomorrow evening at Bradford Hotel.

Danielle Carr, Low Ash Primary School

AN experienced teacher whose positive approach is respected by her students has gone above and beyond for her school.

Danielle Carr, a teacher in year 5 at Low Ash Primary School, said: “Across my time here, I’ve been Upper Key Stage leader and at the minute I’m leading English across the school, working with staff and other classes to make them as strong at English and reading as I can.

“I love that no day is the same, and I love seeing the children make progress and the pride they have in themselves when they’ve done it.”

One of her students said: “Mrs Carr is the kindest, most helpful teacher ever. She always puts 100 per cent into making us smile. She always resolve problems in her own spare time. Every day before coming into school, I always know it’s going to be a good day because Mrs Carr is teaching.”

Another student added: “Mrs Carr is very calm and very friendly. If I had to rate Mrs Carr out of all the teachers I’ve had so far, she would be the top. She’s the best.”

On being nominated, Danielle said: “I feel a bit of an imposter. Everybody who works in the teaching profession works so hard going above and beyond for the children. I’m absolutely amazed to be nominated, it wasn’t expected.”

Amber Turner, Copthorne Primary School

A TEACHER who utilises a positive approach and puts her heart and soul into her work has been very busy in her short time at Copthorne Primary School.

Amber Turner, a reception teacher at Copthorne Primary, is in her second year at the school.

Although she says teaching is not easy, her positive approach and can-do attitude has earned respect from her colleagues said: “Every teacher will probably say the same thing, we do it for the children.

Amber said: “It’s not an easy job. You have to be a special kind of personality to come in a stay positive.

“The children need to see that positivity all the time.”

One of her colleagues said: “Amber is so incredibly deserving of this award. She puts her heart and soul into everything she does at Copthorne.

“So many children at Copthorne arrive with very limited experiences, and so the work that’s she’s done to set up sporting competitions, raise funds for new equipment and enter children into national dance competitions has been absolutely fantastic.”

On being nominated for the award, Amber said: “I think as a teacher to do it for the children is the main thing but to know that someone has recognised what you’re doing is a good thing. It is rewarding.”

Helen Dearing, Wilsden Primary School

A TEACHER who is working hard to build a culture of reading in a Bradford school has also used some innovative methods to teach something that is close to her heart.

Helen Dearing, year 3/4 teacher and deputy headteacher at Wilsden Primary, said: “We really tried to build our culture of reading here. They had to apply to become a reading ambassador and at Wilsden we were really overwhelmed by the amount of children who wanted to do it. It was really tough deciding who to pick but we got a team, two children from every class. We meet every week and the children are really involved, highlighting quality authors and getting everyone really engaged in reading.

“I taught them the sign language alphabet and the reason why I think that’s important for children to know is, that comes from my own background. My mum’s deaf. The children really loved learning the alphabet, they could sign their names and they picked it up so quickly. It was around Christmastime I taught them to sign Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the children absolutely loved it.

“It was a real shock to be nominated but a lovely shock. The fact that the parents have done it I think that means a lot and when you come in every day, it means you’re doing something right.”