For Jacqui, however, the nominations are recognition not just for her, but her colleagues.
“I’m part of a very strong team and delighted for the recognition it has brought to them, the college and health and social care,” said Jacqui, who learned of the nominations from Local Women magazine, the publication behind the awards.
Jacqui, a Health and Social Care tutor at the College’s Newtownabbey campus, teaches “learners who’re aged 18 and older, right up to mature students looking for a career change”.
And, she said, there are plenty of people out there striving to find a new direction in life.
“This year, we have around 90 higher education health and social care learners in Newtownabbey and a lot of them will go to university to study social work or nursing,” she said.
“We also teach leadership and management in health and social care, which is the minimum standard required to run a residential setting. We are teaching nurses and social workers the leadership qualification. They can’t be a manager in a residential setting without that qualification.”
Although she spent the first decade of her career working in occupational therapy, there’s no doubting where Jacqui’s passion lies.
“I got the teaching bug and changed career; I love teaching,” she said.
“I’ve been at Northern Regional College ever since. It’s a great place to work.”
Jacqui said she’s “overwhelmed” with her Inspirational Woman of the Year (age 30 plus) nomination.
“It’s a huge privilege to know that people have voted for me in this category,” she said.
“When you consider how many high calibre Northern Ireland women are working very hard, I’m humbled to be so highly thought of.”
Whatever happens, Jacqui’s looking forward to joining the other nominees during a special afternoon tea taking place in Belfast’s Europa Hotel on May 29.
She is, however, no stranger to the spotlight when it comes to recognition in the further education sector. A few years ago, she was shortlisted for a TES FE Leader of the Year award, and was named HE Lecturer of the Year at the 2021 Northern Regional College awards.
“Even just being a finalist lifts the profile of Northern Regional College and lets people know that it’s an award-winning college with award-winning staff,’ she said.
“And I hope in some way that I’m enhancing its reputation and helping it get the recognition it deserves.”
Jacqui, who has taught “thousands of people” over two decades in the field, said the best thing about being a teacher is “making a difference” to people’s lives.
“It gives me great job satisfaction to see students progress,” she added.
“I myself love learning and it inspires me to help others, particularly more mature learners.”
Despite drawbacks that can include long hours and lack of investment in education, Jacqui said she’d “absolutely” still encourage people to go into the profession.
“It’s a fabulous career path with great job satisfaction; I would definitely recommend teaching as a career,” she said.