Tutor is finalist for prestigious BBC Essex Achievement Award

Monica Galbally, who was nominated back in February, has been short-listed as one of the three finalists for the ‘BBC Essex Lifetime Achievement Award.’ 

 

Monica was brought up in Brazil where she learnt Portuguese, Spanish & French.  She then learnt English on her arrival to the country, where she undertook a degree in ‘Language Studies.’  She says she has “a real passion for learning and teaching languages.â€?

 

As well as teaching Spanish at various levels at Southend Adult Community College, Monica also teaches foreign languages to students with learning disabilities.  She developed the unique French and Spanish programmes herself, providing the students with a unique and exciting opportunity to learn something new.  These courses have been extremely popular and very successful, and Monica describes the students on these courses as “inspirationalâ€?.  

 

She says the key to the success of these and all her language courses is building good relationships with her students and designing the course content to suit their specific needs and interests.  Head of Languages at Southend Adult Community College, Melba Pyne, who nominated Monica for the award, said “Monica has a great ability to inspire people.  She creates a rich environment where motivation and participation is maintained by the use of strategies, methods, resources and materials she has developed based on her observations of individual’s progress,

 

behaviour and capabilities and backed up by the knowledge

gained from her studies and research�

 

Monica is also involved with the College’s Family Learning team.

Working for 5 different schools, she helps parents who speak

English as an additional language to learn more about the English

culture.  In teaching them about the structure of the school day,

the importance of keeping journals, completing homework, attending on time and so on, the parents are better equipped to

help their children at school and enhance their learning experience.

 

In addition to her extremely valuable contribution to the College, Monica looks after 6 children at home – 2 are her own, 1 is adopted and 3 are long-term fostered.  She has been fostering children for 15 years and also provides respite care.

 

She is currently studying for an MA module in ‘Managing Behaviour’ which is Part A for a Doctorate in Education.  Monica is determined to pursue the Doctorate, which will be particularly useful for both her homelife and her work.  With such a busy schedule, it’s not surprising Monica’s day starts at 5 o’clock!  The early start allows her to work on her assignments before the children get up.

 

As one of three worthy finalists in the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ category, Monica shall be attending the awards presentation evening on Wednesday 7th June 2006 at Waterfront Place, Chelmsford.

 

The evening promises to be an exciting and memorable occasion.  Hosted by BBC Essex’s Dave Monk, the winner of each category will be announced and broadcast live on BBC Essex radio.  TV personality John Noakes will then present the winner with their £300 prize money and Champions of Learning Award.