‘Teacher of the Year’ will certainly be a practical teacher

And maybe the credit is for Samir. He teaches welding techniques to young people in problem situations in the closed institution De Zande in Ruiselede. “Our young people are given the opportunity to obtain a welding certificate. I followed a course at the Belgian welding institute. I have a diploma as a welding coordinator, which gives me the authority to issue welding certificates myself. They come here with nothing, and they can leave with something. That is turning a negative story into a positive story.”

Samir’s nomination for Teacher of the Year is striking, because education in a closed community institution is not yet an official school. Samir will know on Monday whether he really wins, but it already feels that way. “The perception is often that education in a community institution is just occupational therapy. And I think that with this we can demonstrate that we offer quality education within a community institution.”

Still West Flemish contenders

There are still West Flemish contenders, including Dries Naert and Shania De Muynck. Dries works at Spermalie Hotel and Tourism School in Bruges. Thanks to adapted kitchen equipment, students with less strong motor skills also perform on the cutting edge. What makes Dries shine? His students and the top dishes they conjure up time and time again.

Animal care teacher Shania De Muynck has students of all stripes in VABI Roeselare. They nominated their best practice en masse. Because a teacher who believes so strongly in her students and helps them to spread their wings deserves a big compliment.