THERE are many areas where educators inspire the people they teach, and nowhere is this more true than in the further education (FE) sector.

Lecturers do encounter daily challenges and come into contact with a diverse range of people with different backgrounds, needs and problems.

There were several nominations in the FE Lecturer of the Year category for an inspiring woman who is helping her students develop their skills and grow in confidence.

Sue Woods, of Pontypool, is a hairdressing lecturer at the Coleg Gwent City of Newport Campus. Having taught for the college for 11 years she has worked with hundreds of people, and has made quite an impression on her students.

Student Sarah Hawkeswood nominated the lecturer and said: “Sue is a true inspiration to all of the students she teaches. She steps away from the stereotypical teaching role and finds innovative ways to motivate her students, ensuring we all reach our full potential.”

Upon hearing about the nomination an emotional Ms Woods said: “I feel really blessed. I do the job because I love what I do. We often give praise but we don’t often get it back.”

Helping and inspiring students is something that motivates Ms Woods in her daily work.

She said: “I wasn’t the best behaved child at school. I did hairdressing and then went onto teach. I teach everyone from people who been expelled to advanced students.

“It’s all about developing their skills, even if hairdressing is not what they want to do in the long run, as long as they have confidence self-belief at the end of the course.”

Ms Woods teaches a range of levels in hairdressing theory as well as practical lessons. The groups work with local organisations to help vulnerable people and are about to embark on a project that helps people return to work.

This work is of vital importance to the students because they can see how their work can make a difference to people.

“We work with The Salvation Army on their Hair for the Homeless project where we teach people presentation and self-care. The people we worked with before Christmas, some hadn’t had a haircut for 12 months - one man went from hair that was down to his shoulders to short back and sides and that gave him a huge confidence boost.”

The single mother who has two sons said she has stayed in touch with most of her students and that even those she doesn’t see will send her an email to let her know how they are getting on after the course is completed.

She said: “I do love what I do and you do become attached to the students, you can’t help it.”

Today is the final day to send in nominations for the South Wales Argus’ Gwent Schools Awards. If you know a teacher, tutor or lecturer who deserves to be recognised for their hard work then send in your nomination.

Top teachers from the region will be celebrated when the awards are announced at a presentation evening on March 10 at the Coldra Court Hotel. For anyone still wishing to nominate a teacher, that has inspired them, entries must be submitted by 5pm today.

There are 13 categories in total and anyone can send in a nomination for free at southwalesargus.co.uk/gwentschoolsawards.