The lessons learned from a good teacher aren’t just limited to solving equations or using apostrophes – they also include helping the next generation to be politically savvy.

The Kent Teacher of the Year Awards 2018 are open to nominations for educators of any subject – including those who promote critical thinking skills and help students to develop their social intelligence.

One person inspired by her politics teacher is Catriona Jamieson, area director at youth charity MY Trust – and member of the teacher awards’ judging panel. She cites "thought-provoking" lessons with Miss Pickles as being among the most influential during her time at Highworth School in Ashford.

“She was always really thorough and very well prepared - she just seemed to know her stuff completely,” Catriona recalled.

Catriona went on to gain a master’s degree in politics and economics before starting work with MY Trust, which helps young people in Kent, Medway, and East Sussex who aren’t working or studying to become gainfully employed.

“Our aims and ethos are very similar to those of teachers – we just want to prepare young people for their future in the best way we can,” she said.

“A lot of our work involves careers advice and study programmes, so it gives us an understanding of the challenges the education sector faces and how hard the job of teachers can be. We see first-hand the amount of pure passion, dedication and hard work they put in, and we just want to support the work they’re doing.”

Anyone who does paid or unpaid work in a school can be nominated for a Kent Teacher of the Year Award – including teachers, head teachers, administrators, bursars, caretakers, dinner supervisors, PTA members, and volunteers.

School staff and members of the public can submit more than one nomination if they wish - but they must do so before the deadline of Thursday, March 1.

The winners will be invited to a prestigious award ceremony at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel in Maidstone in May, and will also appear in their local KM Group newspaper and on Kent Online.

Submissions will be considered by a panel of judges including representatives from Kent County Council, the University of Kent, Kent Sport, Canterbury Christ Church University, the University of Greenwich, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Social Enterprise Kent, Beanstalk, CXK, Salus, LoopCR, Kreston Reeves, Kent Further Education, and Diggerland.

For more information or to make a nomination, visit www.kentteacheroftheyear.co.uk