Dumfriesshire physics teacher Jennie Hargreaves has won a top award for her “outstanding teaching.”
The Lockerbie Academy teacher is one of six – and the only Scot – to receive a 2016 Teachers of Physics Award from the Institute of Physics.
It recognises her exceptional work and commitment.
Jennie, pictured, was nominated by one of her colleagues and chosen by a panel of judges for her lessons, commitment to teaching and the work she does outside of the classroom to support other teachers and promote physics.
Alongside teaching, Jennie created a welfare board for the staff at Lockerbie Academy, mentors younger colleagues and also runs meetings and residential weekends for physics teachers local to the area.
Outside of school hours the physics teacher tirelessly promotes physics to the wider community, including helping to organise regional IOP events and working with Police Scotland to put together a road safety package for use in secondary schools.
Jennie’s citation for the award describes her as an ‘enthusiastic classroom practitioner’ respected by students and peers alike.
It states: “Her students consistently do well in exams and she actively addresses barriers to learning for all pupils. With tireless good humour and impeccable organisation she has worked with agencies beyond the school to bring physics to the wider public. She shows great imagination in generating ideas and has the resilience to see them through.”
She will receive her award, along with a cheque for £300, at the Institute of Physics award dinner, taking place on November 20, which will also be attended by the top researchers, academics and policy makers from across physics.
President of the IOP professor Roy Sambles said: “Teachers provide an invaluable academic foundation for the future of science development and it is important that we recognise and celebrate the successes of those who are able to motivate and inspire young minds.
“It is a delight to celebrate those who helped nurture the intellectual development of students and inspire the next generation to study physics.”