Former John Ruskin Tutor awarded MBE

A modest teacher says he is "humbled" at being appointed an MBE by the Queen, after his own pupils nominated him.

John Rowlands, who taught Economics for 43 years at John Ruskin College, was given the prestigious title for services to education. Three pupils had written to 10 Downing Street, praising him for his "dedication and sheer love for his subject" and asking for him to be recognised.

Mr Rowlands, said the award was the "icing on the cake" after a long and happy career.

The 66-year-old, who retired last summer, added: "I hadn't been expecting it at all, so it was a fantastic surprise. I'm very humbled and honoured by the award, but what makes it so special is that it was the students who nominated me."

Adding, "To be honest, I feel a bit embarrassed to be singled out, because I've worked with superb students and staff, and their hard work should be recognised as well."

Mr Rowlands had worked at the College in Selsdon, for his whole teaching career – and he praised the many teachers who had been role models to him in his younger days, commenting,
"I couldn't have had such a happy career without them, so this achievement should mirror theirs for providing me with such a lot of help."

As you would expect of someone so respected by his students, Mr Rowlands, who also worked part-time at Shirley’s Coloma Convent School, says he will miss being in the classroom in years to come, "The best moments are always when the kids get good results. Working with children meant I could see them advance in their lives because of what they were being taught. I don't think there's a greater job."

Former student Harshil Trivedi, 19, was one of those to nominate Mr Rowlands and was thrilled to learn that his teacher had been made an MBE. Now at Hull University, he said: "He encouraged questions to be asked and his passion and optimism remained strong throughout his teaching. He's shown levels of commitment that I've never seen before – he would
always go the distance to help his pupils, and would put on extra revision lessons, even though he wasn't obliged to. I was so happy when I found out he had got the award, he truly
deserves it."

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