Top Prizes at Adult Learner Awards Ceremony

A selection of Canterbury College students were delighted to see their achievements recognised when they attended the annual Kent Adult Learner Awards Ceremony held at the Ramada Hotel in Maidstone.

The prestigious event, which was organised by Kent Adult Education, was a celebration of the achievements made by adult learners, who for various reasons had returned to education. Andy Walker, Invicta Radio presenter who hosted the evening, read out the nominees for each category, which included Career Development, Skills for Life and Work, Families Achieving Together, Developing Creativity, Most Inspirational Learner, Teacher of the Year.

After each nominee had received a certificate acknowledging their accomplishments, those who had been awarded either first, second or third prize in their individual category were presented with trophies. So, there was great delight and pride from Canterbury College staff that were among the audience when three of their students were awarded special prizes. The winners were as follows:

• Skills for Life – 3rd Prize Wayne Rhodes
• Developing Creativity – 2^nd Prize Kevin Brook
• Most Inspirational Student – 3^rd Prize Nicole Dryburgh

And, if that was not enough Canterbury College tutor Marsha Horne won the Teacher of the Year Award, which was a great honour as it was the first time the category had run.

Marsha, 53 from Celtic Road Deal, received 20 nominations from her students, Marsha said “I adore teaching; I give my heart and soul to it. It was a real shock to be nominated and it meant a lot as it was by the people who matter. I didn’t think in my wildest dreams that I would win.

It is not the first award that Marsha, who originates from Catskill Mountains New York, has won, while working for the ABC network she received an Emmy! But as she said herself the Teacher of the Year award is much more meaningful.