WINDRUSH AWARDS 2003 - TEACHER NOMINATIONS SOUGHT.
(28th March 2003)

The search for two inspirational figures who have increased the participation of minority ethnic people in education begins this week as nominations are sought for two 2003 Windrush Education Champion Awards. The Awards, sponsored by the Teacher Training Agency (TTA), will recognise the role of teachers, teacher trainees and their tutors from minority ethnic communities. Closing date for nominations is 30th April 2003.

A panel of judges will decide which shortlisted nominees will go forward to a gala event at London's Dorchester Hotel on Saturday 21 June 2003, where the two winners will be announced.

The Windrush Awards are named after the boat that brought some of the first immigrants to the UK from the West Indies in 1948. The awards recognise individuals from visible minority backgrounds who have excelled in their field through their individual contributions to society and promoting positive representations of their communities.

The TTA has sponsored the awards for the last three years and aims to attract more talented minority ethnic graduates into teaching. Nominees are welcome from across the educational sector. They can range from school mentors and teachers who have effectively supported trainee teachers, to inspirational teacher training course leaders who have pioneered successful courses targeting minority ethnic communities.

Alf Brown, Senior Adviser for Minority Ethnic Recruitment at the TTA and himself a former head of science, said: "The Windrush Education Champion Awards are designed to celebrate and acknowledge the commitment of people who are opening the doors of teaching to people from all backgrounds - to make it truly accessible and representative. So, if you are one of these inspirational figures, or know someone who is, then make sure they are nominated and recognised!"

Last year's winners, Yasmin Valli and Paul Dash were both excellent role models for those involved in widening the appeal of teaching.

ABOUT YASMIN VALLI

Yasmin Valli teaches at Leeds Metropolitan University in the School of Education and Professional Development. She pioneered the recruitment of black and ethnic minority teachers in Leeds and forged a path for herself as a woman in a largely white male field that of Information Technology. Yasmin established a website www.teacherworld .org.uk (sponsored by the Teacher Training Agency) to promote and support ethnic minorities into teaching.

Yasmin said: "It is an honour and I'm delighted to have won this award which is not just for me, but also represents a signal to black young people to consider what they can offer to wider society through taking up a career in education'. The award will encourage me to take my work forward and in particular to look at making further use of technology to share good practice and bring communities together, thus enabling members of multi-ethnic communities to play a significant part in our education system'.

Yasmin is an Ofsted inspector in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Early Years, English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Inclusion and has published widely on education and race issues. Her ultimate ambition is to empower and enable people through educational achievement. Nomination for a Windrush award recognises her achievements in this field and sponsors the Teacher Training Agency hope will inspire other black and ethnic minority candidates into teaching.

HOW TO APPLY

Nomination forms for the Windrush Education Champion Awards, sponsored by the Teacher Training Agency are available from Gus Mansour at Anserhouse. The closing date for entries is the end of April 2003. Nominees, who can be self-nominated or put forward by colleagues, pupils, or tutors, can obtain application forms by calling 01628 481 581. or click here for the Anserhouse website.

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