Tara Mountford, a 27 year-old science teacher, at the University Church of England Academy in Elsmere Port, has been named the NASUWT Eamonn O’Kane Young Activist of the Year 2016.
 
Tara, who is Deputy Head of Science at the School, was presented with her award today in Birmingham at the Annual Conference of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK.
 
The award is given annually to an outstanding NASUWT activist aged under 30, in memory of the late NASUWT General Secretary Eamonn O’Kane.
 
Despite only joining the NASUWT in March 2015, Tara has made a significant contribution to supporting members in the workplace.
 
Tara stepped into the role of school representative after the post-holder had to take a period of extended absence and made a significant contribution to building NASUWT membership in the school. The vast majority of teachers in the school are now in the NASUWT.
 
Tara has provided vital advice and support to the members in the school and has undertaken NASUWT accredited school representative training.
 
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:
 
“Tara has demonstrated tremendous commitment to the NASUWT and to supporting her colleagues in the workplace.
 
“Young teachers are not only the future of the profession; they are the future of the trade union movement.
 
“Tara demonstrates that being a trade unionist and being a successful teacher are entirely compatible.  
 
“Tara is a worthy recipient of this prestigious award.”