Mr Dan Lea

Teaching Awards 2009 Winner

The Becta Award for Next Generation Learning

Gearies Infant School, ILFORD

Dan Lea’s pupils hate feeling poorly and having a day off because they’re worried they might miss something. He is one of those teachers that children remember into adulthood for their sense of fun, the laughter that filled the classroom and how every day felt like an adventure.

The use of ICT is a huge part of Dan’s work. He has pioneered the school’s Visual Learning Project, which is used for story writing, and developed class-based assessment applications, allowing teachers to assess and track pupil progress. This has removed the need for paper-based planning.

Dan has set up interactive blogs with parents to increase their involvement in their children's learning and improve home-school communication, which have strengthened the partnership between school and home. Pupils are also encouraged to start their own blogs about issues that interest them.

Dan saw the need to develop a curriculum for visual learners following an audit of children’s learning styles. So he devised a sequence of lessons using children as authors and included visual prompts to stories. He has a wonderfully creative approach to teaching and learning, and is always looking for the best ways to inspire his pupils. He has also led the Children's Research into Poetry pilot as part of the school’s Active Learning Community. Dan developed a way for information and findings to be shared using a blog which would have all the planning, questionnaires and feedback on it, and could be accessed by pupils and other schools in the same network.

A parent said that Dan shows his pupils “that there are many means by which learning can take place - not just in the conventional ways.” Another said there was a saying among mums in the playground: “Every child deserves a Mr Lea”.

Meanwhile, colleagues said that he possesses great inter-personal skills, displaying sensitivity in his dealing with colleagues and parents. He gives constant advice and encouragement in his role as an Advanced Skills Teacher, allowing others to take risks.

One said: “The school uses Dan as an effective mood-setter and enthusiast for learning. He is a true inspiration to the wider school community, and an outstanding teacher and leader.”

Message Board

Please leave a messsage for Mr Dan Lea

• well done

  Just to say how proud I felt this evening - well done Dan - you are an inspiration to this borough, myself and those children priviliged to be in your care

  Posted: October 25, 2009 at 21:10 PM | Author: anthony

• Congratulations

  Well done Dan, You must be so proud of yourself and the school. Saw the programme last night.

  Posted: October 26, 2009 at 11:10 AM | Author: June Forster

• My mentor rocks!

  Hi Dan, Blast from the past! How cool is it that my mentor was on TV getting awarded for being such an amazing cool teacher. I remember just how enthused your children were and how much your collegues respected you. I am now in my third year at a school in Northolt and ironically, we didn't have any whiteboards which made it difficult to use ICT. Since getting the interactive whiteboards I am now able to think more about children's learning styles and try to incorporate things I learned from you. I've always felt so lucky to have been inspired in a job that can be so demanding but I always try to keep children hooked on learning. I'm not surprised that you were on Teachers Awards...Good for you! Keep in touch, Christine

  Posted: October 26, 2009 at 20:10 PM | Author: CHRISTINE DAVID MACLACHLAN

• Well done!

  Hi Dan I watched the Teacher of the Year Awards last night and thought I would say well done and what an inspiration you are. I myself was in teaching en route to a career in development. When I was at school my aspirations were never pushed and whilst my parents were completely supportive, I think things have changed dramatically in the way we now motivate and inspire our young people into achieving their dreams. I left school after GCSE and trained to be a nanny, then worked for a lovely family before realising that I wanted more. And more being university. In the end I actually made it to three universities, first a degree, then a masters and finally a PGCE. My aspirations now are to go onto do a PhD and perhaps more into lecturing and research. I just admire the way in which you utilize ICT in your daily work and how well you relate to and engage the children in your class. I have my own challenge myself now as I had to leave work three years ago as I suffer from ME and was not able to continue. Whilst I am now recovering, it is a long long journey. Watching your passion and dedication with your teaching reminded me what I have to look forward to when I am better. Be that teaching, development or more likely something completely different. Thank you Dan and well done, I honestly think you were a terrific teacher. Joanna

  Posted: October 26, 2009 at 21:10 PM | Author: Joanna

• WELL DONE

  we were really happy that you won. you are our favourite teacher.

  Posted: October 27, 2009 at 20:10 PM | Author: aisha haider