Mrs Allison Murphy

Teaching Awards 2008 Winner

The Award for Special Needs Teacher of the Year in Northern Ireland

One of Allison Murphy’s former pupils is planning to make a TV documentary called “People who change lives”. He says that Allison will take centre stage as she inspired the title.

During her 29 years as a special needs teacher, Allison has changed hundreds of lives, especially those of pupils with dyslexia, in which she has a special interest. One pupil, who attended the learning centre at Knockbreda where Allison works, said she was a “very special person, dedicated to inspiring and encouraging young people”. Another came to show her his new-born baby, 22 years after leaving the unit.

Allison has achieved tremendous success with a high majority of her pupils transferring to mainstream secondary education from her special unit class. Every child in her class feels valued and cherishes the praise, certificates, rewards, trophies and treats she provides.

Allison spends time with every child in her class getting to know them and their capabilities as well as their family situations. Every pupil has an Individual Education Plans which is shared with parents and staff to ensure a 'team' approach. She also has an enviable relationship with her teaching assistant with whom she has worked for over 23 years.

Allison takes her own professional development very seriously. She was one of the first people to achieve the Diploma in Professional Development at Queen's University Belfast, when it was introduced in 2004 and achieved a Masters Degree in Social Science in 1994.

During the past 11 years she has also been a member of the special needs tribunal. Pupils who were once deemed as failures have flourished under her care, and gone on to take on lead roles in school performances and or to study at university.

One of them said: “I look back on my years in her class with the fondest of memories and I will never forget the miracle that is Mrs Murphy, who told me anything is possible.”