Ruth makes the grade as top teacher

WHILE secondary school teachers throughout the country sweat anxiously over the fate of their Junior and Leaving Cert students, primary school teachers had a very different set of results on their mind yesterday.

Teachers were hoping to make the grade and be chosen as the McDonald's Primary School Teacher of the Year.

In the end, it was full marks to Ruth Sloan, who teaches senior infants at St Andrew's National School in Malahide, Co Dublin.

"An oasis of calm" was how one fellow teacher described her, but Ms Sloan was clearly overwhelmed yesterday when presented with the award at a special function in Trinity College Dublin.

"I'm absolutely stunned, but very, very honoured," she said.

Ms Sloan is the longest-serving teacher at St Andrew's, the development of which she has played "an integral part" in, according to the school.

"She's fantastic very friendly and approachable" and "Parents have nothing but praise for her" were just some of the quotes from the nomination forms received.

Nominations were made by school principals, teachers, pupils, parents and friends.

Four runners-up were presented with individually-carved bogwood sculptures, while the top 50 nominated teachers received certificates.

The award was designed to "acknowledge the dedicated work of primary school teachers and the enormous contribution they make to the lives of young people", according to Will Cooke of sponsors McDonald's. "It is a fantastic way to say a big thank-you," he said.

Both teacher and school will be saying a big thank-you, too, however, to those who nominated her. St Andrew's received €10,000 in prize money and Ms Sloan was presented with a €4,000 holiday voucher.