Claudy teaching assistant to compete for UK title

Caroline Devine is a highly thought of teaching assistant at St Colmcille Primary School in the village, and everyone at the school has their fingers and toes crossed that she will come home with the trophy.

The Pearson Teaching Awards champion exceptional teaching professionals across the UK.

All young people deserve the very best chance to make progress in their lives through education and great teachers and assistants make this happen.

A teaching Assistant in the Primary School and Nursery Unit, Caroline is representing the Western Education & Library Board at the UK finals of this prestigious competition. She currently holds the title of Northern Ireland Winner 2013 in her category of ‘Teaching Assistant’.

Caroline was nominated by the school principal, Briege O’Neill, who said: “Caroline makes an exceptional contribution to school life. She is a Special Needs Assistant and is responsible for children with a range of needs; visually and hearing impaired, Down Syndrome amongst others, and in all cases she is a great support.”

When the Teaching Award judges visited the school they gave Caroline the seal of approval, at regional level commenting: “Caroline is simply exceptional and a very worthy winner of this prestigious Award!”

The message board on the Teaching Awards website contains many comments and words of support from colleagues and parents of St Colmcille’s Primary School Claudy. One parent wrote: “Couldn’t ask for a better classroom assistant. My son, Ethan, looks at Caroline as not only his SEN Assistant but as his good friend. Caroline will go to any lengths to assist him.”