Pride and joy!

There were 32 deserving nominated school heroes from around the area but the one who received the most readers’ votes was Mark Szostak from Trent Valley Academy.

Mark has been a teacher for over 25 years and has been at TVA since its inception.

Since then, he has gone on to become a respected member of staff, working as not only a PE teacher, but also a year 11 progress leader and chair of the college council.

Mark has worked hard to build up a great relationship with pupils, staff and parents.

We went along to take Mark by surprise and present him with his prize - a bouquet of flowers from the Pink Orchid Florists, Gainsborough and a night’s bed and breakfast at the Crown Hotel in Bawtry.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” said Mark.

“But this is all down to all of the hard work from the pupils who have been very supportive with their initiatives and ideas of how to improve and benefit TVA to make it a more positive working environment.”

He continued: “I just love working with these kids on a day-to-day basis.”

“No day is the same and every child is an individual - the days just seem to fly by. The students are so affectionate - you give them your hand and they’ll take your whole arm!”

Mark added: “I just really enjoy the opportunity to be the catalyst so the pupils can flourish, and to push them to develop.”

“I’m very privileged to have won this award - especially as all the finalists were such a strong field of teachers, and I’m proud to be part of the very talented team here at TVA.”

TVA Principal Wendy Carrick said that Mark was deserving of the prize.

“Mark goes out of his way to help others - whether it’s students, parents, carers or colleagues,” she said.

“This award is well-deserved, as he is a popular and hard-working teacher who has been educating in Gainsborough for many years.”

She added: “We are very fortunate to have him on the team and at the forefront of improving education in our town.

TVA’s director of business and resources John Cawfell was in agreement.

“I am delighted that Mark has become the overall winner,” he said. “He has graciously acknowledged that he is a representative of the many outstanding teachers at Trent Valley Academy who might have won.”

John added: “This award is further recognition of the tremendous impact that TVA is now making.”

Standard editor Chris Burton said that it had been a pleasure to celebrate the area’s school heroes.

“Through the Gainsborough Standard’s Teacher’s Rose, we have been proud to shine the spotlight on those individuals who really improve the lives of youngsters in the community,” he said. “Congratulations to our winner Mark Szostak, and a huge well done to each of the 32 finalists who are a true credit to the teaching profession.”