A supportive and inspirational Loughborough College lecturer has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence by a major national education body.
Performing Arts lecturer Graham Ireland, 42, was handed the award by Pearson National Teaching Awards, part of the Teaching Awards Trust, after being chosen by judges.
Graham, who has worked at Loughborough College for five years, was nominated because of the way he engages learners from all walks of life and with a range of challenges and helps them achieve their potential.
His nomination also highlighted how he engages and stretches every learner, supports when needed and enables students to excel through “exceptional support, guidance and listening skills”.
Graham said: “I am very proud of being nominated by my colleagues in the Performing Arts department and to have been awarded the certificate for FE Lecturer of the Year from Pearson alongside other lecturers from across the country.
"I am very privileged to be a member of an amazing team in Performing Arts and to work with such talented and fantastic students.
“As a department we strive every day to give our students the best possible learning experience, professional training and excellent support and I am delighted to be representing that through this certificate from a national awarding body on behalf of the Performing Arts Department and Loughborough College.”
Tara Connor, one of Graham’s students, said: “Graham has always strived to ensure that every one of us is comfortable and happy with what we are learning.
“He has always encouraged us to be confident in ourselves and has always been enthusiastic about teaching us. Graham has always supported us in every way possible, whether it is practical, written or even a personal issue. Personally, as an aspiring dancer, Graham has given me several opportunities to enhance my own skills and helped with my journey to university.”
Emma Ledsam, who put Graham forward for the award, said: “I have no doubt that a number of our students would not have achieved their aim of going to University or Drama school without Graham's listening skills and empathetic approach.
“Graham has also helped students create exceptionally professional performances even when these are not performances he is directing. He is a wonderful and dedicated collaborator with all of his colleagues and this has made our team strong and supportive of all learners.”
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