Committed lecturer clinches national teaching award

A DEDICATED lecturer who goes ‘over and above’ for his students has been honoured with a national teaching award.

John Crook, who teaches engineering at Lakes College, has been awarded a Bronze Pearson National Teaching Award for Further Education Lecturer of the Year.

John was presented with the award at a surprise celebration on National Thank a Teacher Day by colleagues and students.

John said: “First of all, it is an honour and a privilege to look after the students and their wellbeing because that is the main aim.

“The reward we get is helping them to get the careers they want and seeing them grow as people day in, day out.

“It is a team award rather than an individual award; I feel lucky to receive it but we are a team.”

Presenting the award to John, assistant principal Daniel Braithwaite said: “It gives us great pleasure – students, staff and the senior leadership team – to really recognise the hard work that you put in because it is tireless.

“You spend hour after hour in the workshop, helping students and going over and above.”

Principal Chris Nattress was unable to attend due to his charity bike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats so instead had recorded a personal message for John thanking him for his efforts.

Level 2 Mechanical Engineering student Lara Blakeway said: “It was emotional to see John recognised for everything that he does.”

John’s commitment has extended to making more than 200 baubles for staff at Christmas, paying for Christmas cards for classes and delivering hampers to employers and college mentors as a thank you.

Such is John’s reputation at the college that other departments will often call on him for help including: sharpening knives for catering and tightening stands for doll’s heads used in hair and beauty.

John also volunteered with the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway in Cumbria and earned work placements and crucial support for students.