Ellie Jones receives Prestigious D D Rees Memorial Award for Mathematics at UWTSD Graduation
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is thrilled to announce that Ellie Jones has been awarded this year’s D D Rees Memorial Award for Mathematics. Ellie received the accolade during today’s (8 July) graduation ceremony in Carmarthen.
A Welsh speaker from Swansea, Ellie chose UWTSD for its strong emphasis on Welsh language and culture, aiming to boost her confidence in using the language. “As a Welsh speaker from Swansea, I didn’t have many opportunities to make use of the language at home. As a result, I chose the University of Wales Trinity Saint David for its Welshness to help grow my confidence in the language,” Ellie explained.
Her journey at UWTSD has been marked by significant personal and professional growth, thanks to the unwavering support from the university staff. “When starting with the university, I saw not only a strong use of the language educationally and socially, but the support from staff. With the strong support from my mentors, I have had the opportunity to grow personally and professionally,” she shared.
Ellie’s dedication to education, particularly in mathematics, has driven her to address common barriers faced by students in this subject. “While completing a range of teaching experiences, I realised the common barriers in education today, especially when learning mathematics. It can be very difficult to encourage children to enjoy mathematics and numeracy, so I researched to see what strategies are available to improve the situation,” she noted.
Her innovative approach led her to explore the integration of outdoor learning in mathematics and numeracy lessons. Ellie conducted extensive research, including observations, interviews, and questionnaires, to gather valuable insights. “With the information I gathered, I went on to write an assignment to compare my findings with literature and I was able to share this with schools. Without the help from the university, I would never have been able to imagine this being possible,” Ellie remarked.
Currently working as a supply teacher, Ellie is optimistic about securing a permanent teaching position soon. Her passion for inspiring students is evident in her reflection on her educational journey. “Children will remember the way their teachers inspired them forever. I still remember the passion my teachers showed in pushing me to be the best I could be. For this reason, I was sure this was the perfect career for me. This teacher could now be there for loads of children as a result of the help of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David,” she said.
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Arwel Lloyd
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Email: arwel.lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk
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