Supply Teacher

Patrick Mahoney

Nominated by Select Education, Luton

Devon supply teacher Patrick Mahoney has been declared one of the UK’s top temporary workers.

Patrick has won the highly commended prize in the Supply Teacher of the Year category of the One in a Million Award given to the UK’s top temporary worker.

Patrick of Marlboro near Kingsbridge, who comes from the USA, was nominated by recruitment agency, Select Education for whom he has been working since March last year.

He chose supply teaching as a route into teaching in the UK, having previously given up his career in management consultancy to concentrate on education. Already, he has made a significant difference at the Mannamead Tutorial Centre in Plymouth.

The centre is part of a pupil referral unit for children aged between seven and 14 who have a wide range of needs and diversity of behavioural, social, emotional and psychological issues.

Select Education says that through teaching a broad, balanced curriculum, Patrick encourages the pupils to engage in open communication and wherever possible, explore social issues and citizenship.

Peter Flannery, Managing Director of Select Education said: “Patrick always manages to find what motivates each pupil in order to raise their achievements and his activities include kayaking, canoeing or trips to the local moors.”

Pam Tracey, Mannamead’s Deputy Head commented: “Patrick has an innate ability to engage students and make learning fun. He really has that special gift of inspiring his pupils making them want to learn and want to attend.”

Helen Reynolds, the REC’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, said:  “Patrick has proved to be a real inspiration to his pupils, opening up new worlds and ideas to them which they would have previously dismissed.”