VOTING is well underway for the SNJ’s Teacher of the Year competition and each week the paper is profiling a selection of the seven finalists.

Pupils, parents, staff and residents across the area put forward teachers for the award, to celebrate their skill and dedication in one of the most demanding professions.

Our finalists are now asking the general public to vote for them as the overall winner, with a prize of a trophy presented by Stroud MP Neil Carmichael and a meal-for-two at the SNJ’s Pub of the Year award winner – The Falcon Steakhouse in Wotton.

Voting is open until Friday, June 3, and nomination forms already received will count as votes.

The finalists are:

  • Lynne Davies at Slimbridge Primary School
  • Kerry Tonner at Minchinhampton Primary Academy
  • Sue Tabb at Leonard Stanley Primary School
  • Laura Barwell at Bussage Primary School
  • Fiona Radway at Gastrells Primary School
  • Dawn Hebron at Stroud Valley Primary School
  • Paul Beech at Amberley Primary School

This week the SNJ spoke to Laura Barwell and Kerry Tonner.

Kerry started working at Minchinhampton Primary Academy as a teacher doing maternity cover and 11 years later she is covering for maternity leave again but this time as acting deputy head of the school.

Up at 5.30am each morning for some ‘head space’ in her hectic day, Kerry is at work by 7.30am and regularly does not leave to get back to her home in Gloucester until 8pm.

Asked what keeps her going on those dark, wintry mornings, Kerry said: “Every day is a surprise, I’m very organised and I like the variety.

“I’ve been doing this for 11 years now and every year has been different.

“I started off with a really strong team with supportive staff and that’s just continued.”

Kerry was nominated by student Deano Whiting who wrote on his slip: “She’s taught my brother and I and we’ve both enjoyed being in her class because she chooses fun topics.

“She is great at putting together plays at school and we all get a chance to dress up.”

On the achievement she is most proud of, Kerry, who heads up the English curriculum along with another colleague for key stage two, said: “I am very pleased with what we’ve done in English and consequently our student’s love for the subject.

“It really comes down to our staff who are all very much on board.”

Five miles away at Bussage Primary School, it is reception teacher Laura Barwell who was put forward for the Teacher of the Year award by parent Debbie Crook.

“Mrs Barwell is a lovely teacher and very friendly, she deserves the award. Our daughter Melissa goes to the school,” wrote Debbie on the nomination form.

Laura, who has always wanted to teach four and five-year-olds, is known for re-vamping her classroom to mirror the setting of a storybook.

To cover Jack and the Beanstalk she had a pair of legs and feet dangling from the ceiling and a life-sized beanstalk.

For Goldilocks and the Three Bears she recreated a crime scene complete with police tape, a broken chair and porridge oats scattered on the floor.

And six months later her pupils are still talking about The Three Little Pigs, when big bad wolf footprints appeared in their classroom and wanted posters were slapped up all over school.

“I love it when children have their ‘wow’ moments and how excited and enthusiastic they get,” said Laura, who has a three-year-old daughter and a baby on the way.

“The interactive, creative side of teaching is completely up my street and Pinterest has entirely revolutionised my way of working.”

Teachers who also use the cataloguing site can see Laura’s pin boards at laurabarwell286.

Head teacher Andy Ferguson said that Laura was an asset to the school.

“She really embraces the outdoor learning which we enjoy celebrating in the early years here and she’s worked very hard to promote its ethos throughout the school.

“She’s a patient and kind teacher who gives the children the best start at school.”

Over the next two weeks the paper will continue to profile nominated teachers, so watch this space to decide who to vote for.

SNJ editor Michael Purton said the focus of the competition was “to highlight the outstanding work of teachers in our area”.

Teacher of the Year is supported by Gloucestershire County Council and Stroud MP Neil Carmichael.

Cllr Paul McLain, Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Teaching really is one the most important jobs there is and deserves to be recognised and celebrated.”

Mr Carmichael added: “The Teacher of the Year award is a fantastic way to celebrate a teacher’s achievements.”

  • To vote for Teacher of the Year fill in the form below and return it to Stroud News & Journal, 6 Lansdown, Stroud, GL5 1BE.

The deadline is Friday, June 3. The winner will be announced the following week.

Photocopied voting slips will not be counted.