by MARY MAGEE

Alison Knox with her class. US2408-109A0 Picture By: Aidan O'Reilly

THE young pupils of Pond Park Nursery will be cheering on their teacher Laura Knox on Monday when she takes part in the finals of the Teaching Awards.

Laura is one of three finalists in the search to find the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year. The winners will be announced at a special event at the Waterfront Hall and will receive a coveted 'Plato' - the Teaching Awards symbol of excellence in education.

Laura was nominated by the parent of one of her pupils, Maeve Falconer who is trained in child care and was hugely impressed by her son's teacher .

"What impressed me about Laura was how she has adopted to each individual child and knows each child in the class and seems to understand that individual child," said Maeve.

"My child James attends the school and we felt that things she has done have really helped me with him, both in and out of school. "For example my child was having nightmares about monsters and I happened to mention this to her. Our house is near the army watchtower and she told him that he was safe from monsters and that the army were keeping our house safe. Since then there have been no nightmares and he sleeps soundly.

"I feel that Laura has such a natural ability with children and she understands them. It is also important to know that when you are dropping your child off at the school they are going to be so well cared for.'

Laura said that she was 'honoured' to be nominated for the award.

mary.magee@jpress.co.uk

Ulster Star
13/06/2008