Joy as best teachers land awards, promotion

Teachers Service Commission chief executive officer Nancy Macharia (center) congratulates Principal of the Year 2017 award winner Sister Anastacia Amollo (right) of Lwak Girls in Siaya County and Mrs Philis Wangechi of Mahiga Girls Secondary School in Nyeri County, she clinched the Teacher of the Year Award.

A principal and two teachers today won Sh100,000 each and trophies for their outstanding performance.

What is more, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) promised them immediate promotions.

Sister Anastacia F. Amollo of St Mary’s Lwak Girls Secondary School, Mrs Philis Wangechi of Mahiga Girls Secondary School and Mr Paul Thairu Kamau of Loreto Girls Secondary School Limuru emerged the best teachers during the principals’ conference held at the Wild Waters Centre in Mombasa.

COMPETITORSSr Amollo won the Principal of the Year Award (Poya) while Mrs Wangechi clinched the Teacher of the Year Award (Toya).

Mr Kamau landed the ICT Teacher of the Year Award (i-Toya).

The winners were selected from 23 competitors, eight from the Poya category, eight from the Toya section and seven from the i-Toya segment.

They all went through a rigorous process from the sub-county, county and national levels where they presented a PowerPoint report, were interviewed by a panel of professionals and had to outline their achievements both in and outside the classroom.

MORAL SUPPORTThe three winners attributed their success to commitment.

“I thank God. I am humbled. I can say I have won this because of my commitment and, more so, my dedication, love and passion in what I am doing.

“I appreciate those who have supported me and I am glad to have reached this level. I am grateful to all, especially my school and the employer, the TSC,” Sr Amollo, a Catholic nun from the Nyanza region, said.

The Home Science teacher attributed her success to the work she does outside the classroom, including giving moral support to her students and producing plays for drama festivals.

TECHNOLOGYMrs Wangechi said: “I was expecting to win this award. I am excited because at last I have seen that my commitment and dedication have brought me to where I wanted to be.”

Mr Kamau, who won in the new i-Toya category, said he was happy to be a pioneer.

“I had committed myself to this. ICT has been in me. I urge everyone to embrace it because it is not difficult.

"I have been teaching using my phone and I have seen the good side of it,” the Mathematics and Physics teacher said.

TSC chief executive officer Nancy Macharia, said: “The winners and all the other contestants are heroes and heroines.

"I direct that they get promotion to the next grade immediately and the promotion should be reflected in the new collective bargaining agreement that becomes effective from July 1.”Original Post: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Joy-as-three-best-teachers-land-awards--promotion/1056-3984938-b8slnrz/index.html