It is wonderful to hear of a dedicated and inspirational Scottish teacher receiving such high recognition as a UK winner of the Award for Teacher of the Year at the Pearson Teaching Awards. 

I would like to add my voice to those who will be recognising and praising Mrs Christine Emmett of St Elizabeth’s Primary School in Hamilton in the coming days. The second time that a Scottish Teacher has won this award in the past three years.

I understand Mrs Emmett’s enthusiasm for teaching has spanned 27 years, bringing learning to life for children, involving the world outside in her classroom, capturing the attention and imagination of her pupils.

Every year I meet many other exceptional teachers in the schools that I visit across Scotland and learn of so much good work that teachers, head teachers and practitioners dedicate to the children and young people of our country.

While such recognition is entirely welcome for Mrs Emmett, I am sure that she, along with teachers across Scotland will see the real value of their work in the children that they inspire to learn, when children show a desire to succeed in the classroom and when they see those children begin to realise their learning ambitions and potential on a daily basis.

Congratulations to UK Winner of the Award for Teacher of the Year, Mrs Christine Emmett.

Michael Russell,
Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning

Read the judges comments on why Christine won the award on the Pearson Teaching Awards website along with photos from the event on Flickr. 

Image © Pearson Teaching Awards.