Gillian Costello

Gillian Costello has been nominated for the Teacher of the Year award

Gillian Costello may be preparing to enter a well-earned retirement this December after nearly 40 years of teaching, but colleagues, parents and students alike wanted to give her ‘a great send off’ by nominating her for Teacher of the Year.

The head of Early Years at St Anne’s School in Alderney has been a reception teacher on the island for half of her tenure and is also the manager of the school’s nursery Little Acorns – positions that have seen children have ‘the most magical start’ to school.

‘She has ensured that every early learner on our island has had a wonderful, successful and immensely enriching foundation to their educational journey,’ said one nominator.

‘Her enthusiasm, dedication and excellent practice have meant that generations of Alderney children have had the best possible start in their school career,’ another said.

Others highlighted Gillian’s positivity, her empathy and her determination to go above and beyond for all of her students as they ‘grow and flourish’, be it in the classroom, helping the PTA or displaying children’s artwork in the Pre Studio.

‘I am truly heartbroken that our second born won’t get the chance to be taught by Miss Costello – she’s a superstar.’

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