A “COOL, funny, inspirational” teacher is among those in the running for the title of Teacher Of The Year at the 2011 Community Pride Awards.

Gareth Davies, assistant head teacher at Millthorpe School, Nunthorpe Avenue, York, was nominated only days after supporting an application for a fellow teacher, Sarah Watt.

Gareth was nominated by 13-year-old Isis Dunthorpe, of Bishopthorpe Road, who said: “I want to nominate Mr Davies not only because he is the most inspirational teacher I’ve ever known, but also because he’s an inspiration to all students at Millthorpe School in different ways.

“He teaches in wacky, creative and original ways to make learning fun. By doing this, he helps everybody to take pleasure from learning.”

Gareth set up and runs several extracurricular clubs at the school, including chess and tennis, to entertain the students, with rock music played during chess tournaments, and has set up a YouTube channel to help students with their homework and exams.

Isis said: “Overall, I think Mr Davies thoroughly deserves to win, because he manages to be cool, funny, inspirational and different, and he reaches out to all pupils.”

Elsewhere in York, Rowena Millar, from Applefields School, was nominated by Karen Shattock, of Elvington, after she helped her son engage with subjects he found difficult.

Karen said: “Rowena has taught my autistic son for many years, at Applefields and formerly at Hob Moor Oaks special school.

“Teaching children with specialneeds is not easy, and what makes Rowena special is that she puts a lot of effort into understanding each of the children in her class, knowing what motivates them, and using that to help them reach their full potential.”

Karen said Rowena’s methods meant she celebrated every child’s achievements, and was unflappable no matter what was happening in the classroom.

Nominations close on Friday, and nominees must live or work within the City of York Council tax area.

For more details, go to thepress.co.uk/pride