Teacher from UK Wins Award in Adelaide

[Jessica Berry]

Golden Grove Primary teacher Becky Jones wins national A Day Made Better Award

 

October 14, 2015 10:11pm

TIM WILLIAMS EDUCATION REPORTER The Advertiser

 

INSPIRATIONAL: Becky Jones with her children Daisy and Harry (front) and surrounded by students Bailey, Goldie, Emma and Chris. Picture: SARAH REED

 

SHE takes her students to the Clipsal 500 and to interview the chefs at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant, then visits them at home when they fall sick.

 

Now, after just a few years in Australia, Becky Jones is officially one of the best teachers in the land.

 

The Golden Grove Primary teacher was on Wednesday named a winner in OfficeMax’s A Day Made Better Awards for outstanding teachers — one of 10 around the country from more than 23,000 nominations.

 

A soccer fan who moved to Adelaide from the UK with her family four years ago, she received the surprise award at a special school assembly attended by Adelaide United players Osama Malik and Jordan Elsey.

 

Her two children Harry, 10 and Daisy, 9, were among the 700 students who cheered themselves hoarse at the announcement in the school gym.

 

“I’m a little bit shaky and a little bit tearful. We are really lucky because we have the best students ever at this school,” she told the assembly.

 

Ms Jones, 38, later told The Advertiser her approach to teaching was “totally about building the relationship with my students, making them want to come to school in a learning environment where they can be successful and achieve”.

 

Classroom themes from motor racing to Minecraft, and a range of excursions were important to keeping students engaged, she said.

 

Students will benefit from her prize of $2000 worth of OfficeMax supplies.

 

Principal Wendy Moore said Ms Jones “will always go the extra mile”.

 

“Kids love her and parents love her because they know she genuinely wants them to achieve and be happy at school,” she said.

 

Student Chris, 13, said Ms Jones “always has a smile on her face”.

 

“She’s always open to your opinion and the way she gives you learning, you understand it really well,” he said.

[snifter]

Aww, thats a lovely story. Good to hear such a positive thing and that she is being recognised and appreciated by her students in such a way.

[tina&steve]

This is my sons teacher and she is bloody awesome.