A SENIOR college sports lecturer has proved to be at the top of his game after picking up a coveted national accolade.
Darlington College senior lecturer and programme leader for Level 3 sports coaching and development and Level 3 sport and exercise science Andrew Manners has been given a certificate of excellence in the category of FE Lecturer of the Year in the Pearson National Teaching Awards.
Andy, 49, of Sunderland, said: “It is very humbling to be awarded this. Like most teachers we just care about our students and want to make a difference. This is really nice recognition of the fact that I do care dearly about our learners here.”
When Andy left school, he went to play football as a centre half on a YTS scheme with Sunderland AFC. At 18 he began playing soccer in America and gained a BSc in sport and exercise science from George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia.
He went into coaching men’s and women’s soccer in the college system while studying a master’s in education at Augusta State University. He also gained a Ph.D in instructional systems and workforce development from Mississippi State University, before returning to the UK in 2012 and securing a PGCE from the University of Sunderland the following year.
Andy then joined Darlington College as a lecturer in sport and he also coordinates the Darlington FC Academy and the Martin Gray Football Academy as part of the college’s enrichment programmes.
“I love the place; the people, the college and the students,” he said. “I like working with young people who are passionate and like to see them develop and thrive. It’s up to me to ignite their curiosity and we end up bouncing off each other.
“Then you have some learners who just need someone to connect with, to listen and understand where they are in their lives and that is something I enjoy as well. We have to be more than teachers, we have to be counsellors, friends, role models and sometimes we have to speak the truth, push and challenge them.”
He was nominated by the college’s curriculum manager of service industries and sport Maria Harrop. She said: “Andy demonstrates commitment, designs courses with creativity, works well under pressure, raises high standards across the team and delivers exemplary teaching and learning.
“He has gone over and above to provide bespoke timetables for Olympians representing Britain in swimming, gymnastics and taekwondo who required training around a flexible delivery. He helps students turn their lives around by giving them the potential to thrive and find the right path.”
Lord David Puttnam, the founder of The Teaching Awards Trust, said: “The work of teachers has unique outcomes for the health, wealth and welfare of every single person in this country. As a nation we should be fantastically proud of them.”