Martina McMahon of Marymount National School in Drogheda has been nominated in a national Teacher of the Year competition organised by gift card company Miconex and sponsored by group collecting platform GiftRound.
Martina was nominated for the award by pupils, parents and colleagues at the school. One colleague, Sandra Brooks, said: “I first knew Martina when she taught my daughter and she stood out as a kind, empathetic, approachable teacher. My daughter loved her to bits and has never forgotten her.
“I later moved to Marymount National School and have been fortunate to work alongside Martina for the last four years as an additional needs assistant. Martina is an inspiration to everyone, staff, parents and children, and has a lovely manner about her.
“Martina creates a positive environment in the classroom through how she interacts with everyone. Children and staff alike are happy to be in the classroom. She has a way of speaking and explaining things in a really simple way that helps the children to engage and understand. I can’t speak highly enough of her.”
It is free for people to nominate their Teacher of the Year and all types of teachers are eligible including primary and secondary school teachers, higher education teachers, early years teachers and special educational needs teachers in Ireland. The Teacher of the Year competition runs until the 31st August 2024 and the winning teacher will be announced in September 2024.
Marymount National School principal, Bairbre English, said: “Martina goes out of her way to ensure each child gets exactly the support and encouragement they need to flourish. She is kind and patient with everyone. It would be wonderful if Martina won this award, but in our eyes she is a winner already!”
Other Drogheda schools with teachers nominated to be Teacher of the Year so far include St. Brigid’s and St Patrick’s National School, Ballymakenny College, St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Clever Clogs Preschool, Our Lady’s College, St. Joseph’s CBS Primary School, Elderdale Montessori, St. Oliver’s National School, St. Mary’s Diocesan School and Drogheda Grammar School.
The teacher who receives the most nominations will be crowned as Teacher of the Year in the national competition. The Teacher of the Year, and their school, will each win a €500 Town & City Gift Card, such as the Love Drogheda Gift Card. One person who nominated the Teacher of the Year will also win a €250 local gift card.
Trevor Connolly, CEO of Love Drogheda BID, said: “It is brilliant to see nominations pouring in for the national Teacher of the Year competition for so many of our schools and teachers in Drogheda. Martina’s story, and in fact all of the nominations that are coming through, prove just how valued and appreciated teachers are. Remember, it’s the teacher who has the most nominations who will be crowned as Teacher of the Year, so please take a moment to put forward a teacher who has made a positive impact on pupils, our schools and our community.”
Colin Munro is the managing director of Miconex and said: “Our Teacher of the Year competition in Ireland is designed to shine a light on the teachers and schools who are going above and beyond to care for, educate and inspire children across the country. It takes two minutes to nominate a teacher and there is a fantastic prize on offer.”
The Teacher of the Year competition is sponsored by group collecting platform GiftRound. Founded in 2018, GiftRound gives people an easy way to collect money for various occasions, including end of term gifts. Town & City Gift Cards are available to buy on the GiftRound store.
The Love Drogheda Gift Card is available to purchase online or at the Love Drogheda BID office on Meatmarket Lane. The Love Drogheda Gift Card can be spent in over 240 Drogheda businesses. To view the full list of businesses please visit www.lovedrogheda.ie
