Scottish education was last night celebrating a record performance after picking up two of the top prizes at the UK's leading awards for teachers.
David Miller, who switched to a teaching career after working with disadvantaged youths on a children's panel, took home the coveted prize for Secondary School Teacher of the Year at the UK Teaching Awards 2008. A special award went to Shawlands Academy, in Glasgow's south side, for its work in environmental sustainability.
Mr Miller, 46, an English teacher at St Ninian's High School in Bishopbriggs, impressed judges with his lively and innovative multimedia-equipped lessons, which the panel said brought an "eerie silence" to his classroom.
The judges commended Mr Miller for encouraging self-reliance and ambition, and for piloting a fast-track course which resulted in 90% of his pupils receiving credit grades in their fourth year exams.
Speaking after receiving his award, an "overwhelmed" Mr Mitchell told how his experiences working on a children's panel inspired him to leave his career in IT six years ago.
He said: "I'd been working with some really disadvantaged kids, and I thought teaching would be a wonderful way to connect with children. I haven't looked back since - it's a journey of self-discovery."
He said his emotional honesty and genuine desire to connect with his pupils were key to his success. "It's all about the emotional impact of the texts. I like to show my classes that even the most straightforward piece has impact, and the kids really respond - it's fascinating."
Mr Miller's pupils were impressed but not surprised that their teacher had picked up the coveted award, which was presented by Scottish actor Bill Paterson.
Hannah Terrance, 17, who is in Mr Miller's Advanced Higher class, said: "He's absolutely outstanding. I've had him since standard grade, and what impresses me is the passion he has for English. It rubs off on the children.
"Every time he reads something, a bit of poetry or a line from a play, even if he must have read it 10 times before it still sounds like he's reading it for the first time."
Basia Gordon, eco-coordinator for Shawlands Academy, said she was delighted by her school's award, which recognises its pioneering role in environmental education.
Shawlands Academy was the UK representative in an international project that saw it working alongside schools from Sweden, Cyprus and France on a number of green projects. Judges were particularly impressed by a cycle rental scheme, where pupils can pay £30 a year to rent a bike and cycle to school. Another innovation is a scheme that rewards students for choosing healthy options at lunchtime.
Among other honorees was Natalie Richards, a former roadie for pop band Catatonia who switched to teaching. She was named the SSAT Outstanding New Teacher of the Year at the awards ceremony at the London Palladium.
This year's ceremony was hosted by TV presenters Myleene Klass and Jeremy Vine with the 11 national awards presented by celebrities including actor Jeremy Irons and newsreader Sophie Raworth.
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