THERE were lots of cheers and plenty of tears when teacher Jayne Worrall was announced as the winner of the Warrington Guardian’s teacher of the month award.

It was a day full of celebrations as the entire school, including a number of parents, watched the teacher of more than 20 years collect the accolade.

The award, which is sponsored by education recruitment and training consultancy Academics Ltd, honours a deserving teacher who has made a real difference to the school community.

Mrs Worrall, who has worked at Meadowside Primary School for the past four years, had dedicated the past 20 years to teaching and now couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

The 48-year-old, who works in the school’s development centre teaching children with additional needs, said: “The best part of the job is seeing the children and the progress they make. The school is also like a family here. We all support each other.”

Mrs Worrall, who also worked at Bruche Primary School for more than 15 years, was nominated by parent Jo Warburton, who described her as an ‘inspiration’ after seeing her daughter Grace grow from a shy, withdrawn youngster to a creative, happy and funny little girl with her help.

Jo said: “Having Mrs Worrall in our lives has made us feel like we have won the lottery every day. Having a teacher like that in your life is so reassuring to our family.

“As you can imagine Mrs Worrall faces challenging behaviour on a daily basis as her students all have different additional needs, but has never complained.

“My daughter has faced many challenges before she started school but Mrs Worrall has been there for Grace and my family, through every step of the journey, a shoulder to cry on and always a friendly face at the end of a day.”

To nominate a deserving teacher for next month’s teacher of the month award, click here or e-mail lauren.hirst@nqnw.co.uk.