Early years education academic picks up national award

Pavla Boulton, Senior Lecturer in Early Years Education at USW, was finally able to collect her prestigious National Teaching Fellowship award last night at the Advance HE Teaching Excellence Awards Ceremony, nearly two years after winning it.

Pavla received the award for her outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession.

The Fellowship, awarded through a highly competitive process by AdvanceHE to up to 55 UK HE practitioners each year, recognises Pavla’s sustained and life-changing work with her students and, in turn, the children they educate. Pavla is one of a handful of academics at USW who has won the award.

Pavla said: “Having worked in education all of my working life, I am humbled that the work I have been doing with my students, colleagues, and partners has been recognised in such a prestigious way.

“It has been a delight to play a part in the development of so many Early Years graduate journeys and their success concretes my belief that the role of every Early Years practitioner is significant in the lives of our children.

“Achieving the NTF award is a reflection on the commitment of my students to their learning which has enabled me to grow and develop as a HE lecturer and student mentor.”

National Teaching Fellowships are the most prestigious awards that can be bestowed on those involved in teaching or supporting learning in higher education.