Story from Blackpool Gazette

Fingers Crossed!

A Blackpool language tutor has been named the region's teacher of the year by a national charity.

Janice Crossland-Jones, who founded The Fylde Coast BSL Centre, has taught hundreds to communicate with the deaf through signing since she started her business in 2006. Janice has been honoured with the Teacher of the Year for the North West award by Signature, a charity that offers nationally accredited qualifications for sign language and other communication methods used by deaf and deafblind people.

She will now go to the Signature Awards evening in London on November 12, where she will be in with a chance of the national title.

Janice, who is profoundly deaf and uses signing as her first language, said: "When I was nominated for Teacher of the Year award, I was overjoyed my students appreciated my word so much. When I was shortlisted, I was not only so proud of myself but also of students and staff at the centre.

"When I was told I had won the regional prize I was speechless and extremely emotional. I have worked so hard throughout the years and have had a tough time this year. The award makes it all worth while as people appreciate what I have achieved."

Janice, a teacher for 18 years, had worked in Manchester and London. In 2004, while on holiday in Greece she was badly injured in a motorcycle accident and after returning to the UK was unable to teach for many months while her injuries healed.

"Two years later, and after suffering depression, I wanted to go back to work, but felt that going back to a large class such as at a Manchester University was overwhelming, and I decided to start my own business.

"The business started as a very small class in a Cleveleys community centre in 2006, until I met Kayla Guttormsen who had her own business, The States Barbers shop on Dickson Road. She offered me the use of her premises in order to teach BSL (British Sign Language), which I really appreciated.

She also helped me by working for me as a support worker and interpreter. The business grew very fast but after three years I needed larger premises and moved to Church Street in Blackpool, although I also work outside of my premises, travelling all over Blackpool, Preston, Kirkham and Manchester.

"When I started the business, there was myself and Kayla, but now I have volunteer staff as well as other qualified teachers as we hold classes most nights for levels up to NVQ Level 4.

We hope to add an interpreter unit to our courses followed by an interpreter agency in Blackpool. Kayla is now concentrating on her own businesses."

Janice, 44, of Bispham, added: "We have been out teaching schools and prisons BSL. We also encourage children from the age of six to learn BSL at our centre. We support deaf charities such as NDCS (National Deaf Children's Society) by supporting local schools who wish to take part in the Fingerspellathon, as well as spending free time helping the community by organising a signing club which holds pub quizzes at Devonshire Arms.

"I would like to say thank you to the manager there as they hold these meetings free of charge."

Janice added: "I have worked as a teacher for over 18 years, working in areas such as Manchester and London. I have recently been asked by a company in Liverpool, Deafplanet, to be a member of the board, which I am honoured to do.

"Fingers crossed it continues onwards and upwards!"

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