AN “inspiring” teacher who “dazzles in the classroom” has been nominated for a Worcestershire Education Award.

Louise Hannis is head of early years at The Downs Malvern and started the school’s Hoot parent and toddler group.

She has been nominated for teacher of the year at the awards, which are run in partnership with the University of Worcester, by colleague Doug Norton.

He said: “With the Princess of Wales’ Shaping Us campaign and a generation of Covid babies now entering pre-school, a spotlight is shining on not only the gaps, but also the very best Early Years provision. Illuminating brightly from the centre of this spotlight is Louise.

“Having qualified as an Early Years teacher in 1998, she knows first-hand the importance of being that inspiring teacher, and how attitudes and decisions told to very young children affect their future selves.

“Louise dazzles in the classroom and every child is taught at their ability and at their speed. The way in which she teaches is through Continuous Provision.

“The national curriculum is converted into ‘I can’ topics which are delivered as 12-week learning topics.

“Louise takes time to identify the way in which each child learns best. For some this may be through verbal or audio cues, others perhaps kinaesthetic learners. Children are then bombarded with learning through play, fun and repetition.

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“Squirting a water pistol and shouting at the Big Bad Wolf finger puppet to onlookers may seem bizarre, but for the child they are repeating key phonetic sounds and refining pencil grip motor skills by pulling the trigger.

“An expert in her field, Louise educates parents about the benefits of Continuous Provision and shares best practice with local EYFS teachers.”

The Worcestershire Education Awards has 12 categories and runs across all of our Worcestershire titles – the Worcester News, Malvern Gazette, Evesham Journal, Bromsgrove & Droitwich Advertiser, Redditch Advertiser and Kidderminster Shuttle.

The awards will culminate in a black-tie event on Thursday, April 20, at 7pm at the Abbey Hotel, Great Malvern.

The Worcestershire Education Awards in partnership with the University of Worcester has 12 categories and runs across all of our Worcestershire titles – the Worcester News, Malvern Gazette, Evesham Journal, Bromsgrove & Droitwich Advertiser, Redditch Advertiser and Kidderminster Shuttle.

The awards will culminate in a black tie event on Thursday, April 20, at 7pm at the Abbey Hotel, Great Malvern.

Closing date for nominations is Friday, February 17.

Nominations take just a few minutes. To nominate someone click here