1:18pm Wednesday 2nd November 2005
By Daniel Menhinnitt
New dad James Harper-Williams has something else to be proud of alongside the birth of his first child.
The Riddlesdown High School teacher was described as the best teacher by far' by pupil Ryan Clarke who nominated him for a Croydon Champions award.
The 28-year-old science teacher says he felt proud when he heard he had been nominated in the Teacher of the Year category. "It was lovely, and a real surprise. My wife was so proud.
"It makes you feel good; it shows what you are doing is working, that you are getting through to the kids. That's my ambition."
In his nomination form Ryan said James was willing to talk to his class about anything and everything. even the merits of picking up ties from charity shops.
James says: "It's true I do talk about my ties. I tell the children that it's a good way to help a charity and get good value. I probably do have a different tie for every day."
James, who lives in Caterham-on-the-Hill, has been a teacher for four years and has been at Riddlesdown High in Purley since completing his training.
He says his most important skill in the classroom is the ability to stay cheerful.
"I think it's very important to be cheerful. I don't get grumpy. Even if you have a difficult day you have to leave it outside. If you have to tell someone off you have to do it and then switch back.
"Teaching is a lot about acting, about putting on an act. You have to find a way to keep the classes' interest."
James, who became a dad in September following the birth of his daughter Harriet, started at Riddlesdown High working as the school's caretaker for six weeks.
"I just got such a good feeling from the school; I had such a good time working there," he says.
While waiting to train as a teacher James remained at the school working as an IT technician before finally landing a teaching post.
"I'm very lucky to be working at Riddlesdown," he says. "The staff have all been very welcoming and supportive. As far as I'm concerned it's the best school I could have ended up working for."
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/trade_directory/