Miss Timmons is a real class act
St Vincent’s favourite honoured to pick up Teacher of the Year award
An East Kilbride teacher who encourages her pupils to reach for the stars was one of the big winners at the Scottish Education Awards.
Danielle Timmons, who helped her class become the only Scots finalists of a prestigious science competition, was crowned Teacher of the Year at the annual event which celebrates the very best in Scottish learning.
Danielle (30), of St Vincent’s Primary School, was nominated by head teacher Eileen Tompkins for her teaching and extra-curricular work – running the school choir and space club, who were finalists in the Rolls Royce Science Prize earlier this year.
Danielle, who grew up in the town, joined St Vincent’s as a student teacher and then landed a permanent job.
She said: “I can’t believe it. This is a real honour and I am so grateful to my head teacher and South Lanarkshire Council, as well as the staff and pupils who are just so inspiring.
“It’s a pleasure to work with them every day.”
Eileen said: “I nominated Danielle because I recognised something unique and exceptional about the manner in which she did her work.
“She has an amazing capacity to bring the best out of children. She brings so much to the school.
“With the space club, she takes the kids stargazing and has visited the science centre.
“It’s very appropriate that someone like Danielle should win an award like this because she reaches for the stars.”
Scottish Education Minister John Swinney paid tribute and added: “Both the Headteacher of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award celebrate leadership, which is essential to the strength and the development of education in Scotland.
“The Lifetime Achievement in particular demonstrates what many teachers do, which is devote their entire professional lives to transforming the lives of young people.”
The Daily Record awards ceremony, hosted by comedian and radio presenter Des McLean, started in style with a performance by the Queen Margaret Academy Choir, from Ayr, while entertainment also included mind reader Colin Cloud.
I’m so grateful to my head teacher, South Lanarkshire Council and the staff and pupils who are so inspiring. It’s a pleasure to work with them every day. Danielle Timmons