Winning the Pride of Guernsey Award last year proved to be an unexpected boost of reassurance for special education teacher Erica de Sousa.
Miss de Sousa was voted for and then judged Teacher of Year 2025 for going above and beyond with her students at the College of Further Education. She had spent the seven years prior working closely with the college’s special educational needs students, and said the award had shone some much-needed light on the often-overlooked sector.
‘It was great to be recognised for working within the additional needs sector,’ she said.
‘I think that’s really important because it’s such a difficult job, and one that requires more than one person – like a community all of its own – and you do go unrecognised. Children spend a lot of time with their teachers, it’s a big responsibility.
‘Winning the award last year meant recognition not just for myself but for everybody who works with me. It was definitely something that was completely unexpected, but it was really wonderful.’
Miss de Sousa has spent much of the past year on maternity leave – as a proud first-time mum to four-month-old Aria.
‘It’s a lot of sleepless nights and mum brain,’ she said.
‘But we’re good, it’s lovely. All of the prize money from last year went towards Aria, which really helped.’
She encouraged islanders to submit more nominations for their favourite teachers.
‘With education being such a challenging sector at the moment, it’s really important – now more than ever – for teachers to feel valued,’ she said.
‘To recognise the tough times they’ve gone through since Covid, which are still ongoing. We’re just getting ourselves back on our feet now. But expectations are high, and if anybody could nominate somebody who has stood out for them, it’s really appreciated.’
To make a nomination for this year’s awards, head to prideofguernsey.gg.
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