Inspirational West Bromwich lecturer honoured in prestigious UK celebration of teaching

Dominic Whelan

Dominic Whelan, lecturer at Sandwell College in West Bromwich has been named as one of 80 Pearson National Teaching Award Silver Award winners across the country.

Dominic is honoured with a Silver Award in The Award for FE Lecturer of the Year for their outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children they work with every day.

Since joining this diverse, inner-city college as a lecturer in the automotive department, Dominic has inspired hundreds of students. He integrates stories and experiences from his time in the RAF and from being a pilot into his lessons, offering a wider perspective from the automotive and engineering industries.

Colleagues say that his stories are powerful and speak to the students, cementing his place as a role model and leader to many. He is focused and committed to the college and colleagues alike, having helped multiple departments with teaching and exams. Students know they can rely on Dominic to support their individual, often complex needs.

As a Silver Award winner, Dominic has now been shortlisted to win one of just 16 Gold Awards later in the year. Recognition of this once in a lifetime achievements will be broadcast on the BBC’s The One Show as part of a week-long celebration of teaching, which sees famous faces honour award winners every night in the run up to the ceremony.

This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the exceptional school teachers and leaders who have worked wonders to bring together their local communities despite the challenges of the past few years.

The Silver Award winners are being honoured as part of the wider celebrations for national ‘Thank a Teacher Day’, bringing together everyone across the country to celebrate the schools and colleges at the heart of our communities.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they work with. This year marks its 23rd year of celebrating our school teaching staff across the UK.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “Congratulations to Dominic on this incredible achievement, and for the hard work and dedication which led up to it. Winning this award is impressive, well-deserved and shows Dominic’s commitment to helping students achieve their full potential.”

Sharon Hague, Managing Director of Schools at Pearson UK, said: “Congratulations to today’s Silver Award winners on their incredible achievement, they should all feel very proud of themselves. And thank you to all the incredible educators and support staff across this country who really do make our schools and colleges so special. I am delighted that we can take this opportunity to say how much we appreciate all that you do for the young people in your care.”

Michael Morpurgo, celebrated author and former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: “For so many of us, it was someone at school who changed our lives, was at our side through hard and difficult times, who lifted us up when we were down, helped us find our voice, gave us confidence when we needed it most, and set us on a path that we have followed ever since.

“No matter who we are, school has touched our lives and played a central role in our childhoods. School is about so much more than learning, and we see that now more than ever before. Schools really are the beating heart of our communities. Every person that cares for our children in schools should be celebrated loud and clear on Thank A Teacher Day 2022.”

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