A YOUNG teacher who won an award for inspiring pupils said the recognition was a "boost".

Eve Mallon, of Stone with Woodford CE Primary School in Berkeley, won Teacher of the Year at last year’s Pride of the Cotswolds awards, run by this newspaper.

She was nominated by parents for having “so much time and energy for each and every child, and kindness in abundance”.

Reflecting on the award, 26-year-old Eve said: “It’s a really lovely thing. I took my mum and we both expected the other people to win. We both were equally shocked.

“Sometimes you don’t know if you are doing the right thing. It’s nice to have that little boost.”

Eve was inspired to take up teaching following a work experience placement at her old primary school in Eastington and later spent two gap years working in a school in Kenya.

Eve, who teaches the reception class, described her job as “really rewarding”.

“They come in not knowing how to read or write. The progression you see – you don’t get that anywhere else. We are really small, out in the middle of fields which is lovely. We are a community, you get to know everyone. You know all of the parents, every single child – it’s quite different when you are in a big school."

Does your child’s school have a teacher worthy of recognition? Voting is now open to find the 2019 Teacher of the Year.