Teacher tops the class for her skill (From Salisbury Journal)
If you have a story call our newsdesk on 01722 426511 or email us. To advertise call 01722 426500.
Teacher tops the class for her skill
9:48am Thursday 25th October 2007 in News By Roland Batten
Gundi Shaw, flanked by Anton de Beke, from Strictly Come Dancing, and Kate Garraway, the GMTV presenter who is a celebrity contestant in Strictly Come Dancing.
TEACHER Gundi Shaw is special and now she has a national award to prove it.
In front of a 2,000-strong audience at the National Teaching Awards ceremony at the London Palladium on Sunday night, the Woodford Valley Primary School teacher scooped the special needs teacher of the year award to the delight of her family, friends and her school.
Her specialist learning centre for autistic children at the village school has a reputation for excellence far beyond the village.
The ceremony was told children who attend her centre in the Woodford Valley school make huge strides in their learning thanks to her brilliant talent.
Children who could not read, can now read and those who could not talk can now talk.
In addition to speech therapy, Gundi also enhances learning by creating opportunities such as music therapy with the Salisbury Chamber Orchestra, access to horse riding, trampolining and swimming.
She also developed an extensive programme of "buddies" to support the development of social skills. Gundi, who is manager of the school's specialist learning centre, gained her place in the national finals after being presented with a Plato Award at the regional teaching awards ceremony in Bath in July.
As a regional winner Gundi was invited to attend the glittering national awards ceremony hosted by Jeremy Vine and former X-factor presenter, Kate Thornton and broadcast on BBC live.
