The Inspiring Educator Awards are created by the University of Cambridge to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the many inspiring educators who motivate and encourage their students. Any current first-year undergraduate students at the University of Cambridge who attended a UK state school or college can nominate a teacher or educator for an Inspiring Educator Award.
Bettina Cahilig left Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College to head to the University of Cambridge, after achieving fantastic grades in her A-levels - achieving 4 A*s in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. She started at the University of Cambridge at Queens' College this term studying Medicine.
Bettina nominated our very own Hannah Smith, who teaches A-level Biology, but was nominated for her position as the Enhancing Excellence and EPQ Coordinator. Specifically, Mrs Smith has been nominated for the 'Reaching Cambridge Award', which is for teachers or educators who have been particularly encouraging towards their high attaining students to consider and prepare for a Cambridge application.
In her nomination, Bettina said 'Despite already being responsible for teaching A-Level biology and coordinating the EPQ students, Mrs Smith also spent lots of time helping each aspiring Oxbridge and MEDVET applicant with their UCAS application both in the programmes that she ran and on an individual basis. Even with the limitations of time that the college day had, she would go out of her way to give up lots of her free time, including lunch breaks and hours after school even, to dedicate to us. This was very notable during my last year in college due to the strikes that were going on in non-academised sixth form colleges as despite being stretched, she still helped us through our studies and interview preparations. The most notable impact that she had on me was that she had full belief in me when I didn't. Whilst I knew that I wanted to apply for Medicine, I had many doubts about the application process due to its notoriety in being one of the hardest to get into and as I didn't know of many people around me that had done it before. Adding Oxbridge onto that terrified me and originally I wasn't even going to consider them before, despite the encouragement of my peers which I was initially to quick to dismiss. However, because she saw the capabilities within me that I hadn't realised myself, she encouraged me to at least try, saying that I shouldn't close off an opportunity like that so quickly. During sixth form, she fostered the curiosity and passion for learning that I would need to explore my future degree through the discussion groups and talks that she would organise and the research opportunities and challenges she would advertise. Most importantly, she held a very hesitant me accountable to applying to Cambridge regardless of outcome saying that the entire experience would have done me some good. At the time I didn't know if I would even like it as I had a bias against Oxbridge. But after my interview, I fell in love with it and realised what I would've missed if she didn't push me to try. Undoubtedly I can say if it weren't for her, Cambridge would never be a reality for me.'
The Enhancing Excellence programme supports and encourages students of high academic potential to apply to Oxford, Cambridge and other world top 30 universities and/or Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science degrees. The students get extra support such as discussion groups, mock interviews, lectures, and application support, because of how competitive these universities and courses are.
Good luck Hannah - this nomination alone is a fantastic achievement and testament to the work you dedicate to these students.
Website By Rejuvenate Digital