Neil’s a top teacher
Teacher Neil McCloy was honoured this week at one of the biggest award ceremonies in the UK.
By Orla McNicholl
Neil, who teaches at St. Brigid’s Primary School in Knockloughrim, was nominated for ITV Teacher of the Year and last week he was one of several finalists on the red carpet at the Pride of Britain awards.
Despite only teaching at the south Derry school for just a year, Neil has made quite an impression on the pupils there.
And it was this impression that prompted young Aoife Duggan to nominate her primary five teacher for the prestigious title.
Aoife said Mr. McCloy made learning fun when she was in primary five last year.
Last week he was accompanied to the awards ceremony by his girlfriend Claire Kelly and UTV presenter Siobhan McGarry.
“This wasn’t something I was expecting at all. It has just been such a surreal experience and a great honour and privilege. I’m just coming back to reality now,” said the 27-year-old, who spent early last week mingling with celebrities such as Gordon Ramsey and Gary Lineker and even had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah at Downing Street.
Neil, a native of The Loup, said his experience last week was “unbelievable”.
“I can’t put into words how fantastic the awards ceremony was,” said Neil.
“It was such an amazing night and I was surrounded by celebrities galore and so many great and inspirational people.
“Watching the Pride of Britain on television, you get so emotional but just to be there is just extraordinary. I feel very humble to have had this experience.”
Even though Neil didn’t win the title of Teacher of the Year, he said his nomination was much more important to him.
“I have had the benefit of going to London and having this experience but at the end of the day, Aoife’s nomination means so much more to me. It has just been a great year for me.”
