Selected from thousands of nominations across the UK, City of Westminster College lecturer Misk Sharif Ali is one of 76 Silver Award winners for the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards.
Misk Sharif Ali is honoured with the award for Further Education Lecturer of the Year for her outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the students she works with every day. She was presented with the prestigious Pearson Silver Teaching Award trophy at the college on 16 September 2020.
Misk Sharif Ali receives this honour for using her own personal experience of education to engage and connect with students who might not have found their motivation. She is also recognized for her focus on changing the language and attitude of her students to enable their own independence. Her students and colleagues describe her as ‘the best of the best’ and ‘an absolute gem’.
Misk Sharif Ali is now in the running to win one of just 14 Gold Awards. Last year, two CWC lecturers – Bina Pawar and Esam Baboukhan – were also honoured with the Silver Award to celebrate their outstanding achievements in teaching.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of exceptional teachers, founded in 1998 by Lord David Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they teach. This year, the Pearson National Teaching Awards marks its 22nd year of celebrating excellence in education.
Read more about Misk Sharif Ali's nomination here.
Misk Sharif Ali currently teaches ICT courses at CWC. Click here to find out more about applying and enrolling in the School of ICT.
Misk Sharif Ali said:
"Winning this award is indescribable. There are no words and I am overjoyed. It truly shows both the dedication of the teachers and our students. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my students. I am in this profession for them to improve every aspect of their lives. So when I win, they win as well. Thank you to all of my students, present and past."
Nick Bell, CEO of United Colleges Group, said:
"This award is brilliant and recognises all of Misk's work over the years. As part of United Colleges Group, this award represents our ethos, which has been that every student gets the best possible experience and achieves all of their goals. This award reflects the effort that all of our teachers, including Misk, put in every single day."
Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK, said:
“Congratulations to all of our Silver Award winners for their commitment, dedication and passion for their work. Despite the incredible challenges they have faced over the past few months, school staff have risen to the occasion time and again. It is so important to recognise and celebrate teachers, teaching assistants and lecturers for the impact they have on our young people every year, and that is why Pearson is delighted to support these Awards.”