EVERYONE remembers a good teacher and people who help them through life.

I'm sure there are many parents reading this who can think back to their schooldays and remember at least one teacher.

And any schoolchildren reading this could probably think of at least one teacher whose lessons they enjoy.

How many then, watching television this weekend, were surprised to see that of the 114 teachers shortlisted for National Teaching Awards only one was from Worcestershire?

Not a blight on the standard of teaching I'm sure, but more of an oversight by the judges.

Teachers in Worcestershire might not have to cope with mass numbers of children from refugee families, or huge numbers of those living on the poverty line, but they have faced many a battle in the classroom.

The Local Education Directorate has to cope with being seated near the bottom of the education budget league tables.

Teachers have to battle with funding crisis after funding crisis, so every effort that is made should be applauded.

The teacher from the county who was recognised, however, should be heralded.

Debbie Prigg, from Droitwich's Westlands First School, reached the last stages of the Special Needs Teaching prize contest.

The 48-year-old won the regional prize for her work with five to nine-year-olds at the school, where nearly half the pupils have special educational needs.

Mrs Prigg might not have won the spotlight achieved by the category winners, or the chance to appear in national print, but she's won the hearts of many at the school.

This teacher has allowed Emma to be Emma, and not the little girl with Downs in class three, said one parent.

Mrs Prigg has taught at the Farmers Way school for five years and is proud to know the names of all 250 pupils.

Among her many initiatives, she has instigated a social skills teaching programme, set up a school council and introduced Molly the language puppet.

Mrs Prigg has been teaching for 27 years.

She said she was staggered" when she won the regional prize.

The award is really nice for us as a school, and for this community, because it's so positive, said Mrs Prigg.

I'm really thrilled about it.

The judging panel interviewed Mrs Prigg, who lives in Droitwich, and parents, governors, colleagues and the headteacher, before coming to its conclusion.

This is a brilliant performance, said Julien Kramer, head of Worcestershire County Council's Local Education Directorate.

She's done outstandingly well.

The awards, in connection with BT, have been designed to highlight excellence and honour outstanding teachers. They cover England, Wales and Northern Ireland and are split into 11 categories.

Every teacher nominated for a prize is a winner, regardless of whether they scooped the top award or not.

Those recognised would be the first to say they are no different from other teachers and that teaching is a team game.

I have fond memories of school and the teachers who helped guide me to where I am today.

First there was Mrs Jeffrey, at Mickleton Primary School, in Gloucestershire. She was a very disciplined teacher and put fear into the minds of many children with her strictness. But she also encouraged them to do the best they could.

At Alcester High School I had a fantastic tutor, Martyn Glenville (an avid supporter of Worcestershire County Cricket Club).

He always challenged my opinions and made me a bit more broadminded. He also let me try to complete the Guardian quick crossword in afternoon registration.

There was also Mrs Mogridge, my English teacher, who honed my writing skills to what they have become today.

Hundreds of teachers will have taught me on my exodus through schools (due to an Army background, I've transferred through many classrooms).

I've had the pleasure of being in lively discussions, enjoyable experiments and awful PE lessons.

But I have grown stronger in many ways and can now appreciate why school is compulsory.

The teachers I have mentioned inspired me to do my best.

I've returned to my high school since leaving eight years ago and, although it's changed quite substantially, Mr Glenville is still there.

It's very bizarre to sit in one of your old teacher's lessons and then hear them use you as inspiration. But I've no complaints if it helps pupils see what has become of past pupils then so be it.

If teaching awards were around in my day (and how old does that make me sound) then all three of my favourites would have received a nomination.

Everyone remembers a good teacher, I remembered three. How many of your children's teachers should also be remembered in the same way?

This year there were less than 2,000 nominations for the prizes, out of 32,000 eligible schools.

Let's see if more of our county's teachers can make it onto the shortlists for next year's awards.