University of Chicago ‘Outstanding Educator Award’ for Tonbridge’s Sam Cleary
Sam Cleary, Tonbridge’s Head of Social Sciences, has received an Outstanding Educator Award from the University of Chicago.
This prestigious annual award is presented to those academics who, according to the university, have “shaped young minds in meaningful ways, sharing an infectious love for learning and caring for students both inside and outside of the classroom”.
Chicago students themselves put forward their past teachers for the award, nominating those who have played significant roles in their schooling and had a lasting, positive impact upon their lives.
US destinations have been a popular choice for Tonbridge Upper Sixth leavers in recent years: in 2023, students embarked on degree programmes at Princeton, Duke, Columbia, New York University Abu Dhabi and the University of Southern California, as well as Chicago.
The University of Chicago set up the awards to recognise excellence in teaching, congratulating this year’s Outstanding Educator Award winners for their exceptional work and for being role models for students.
Sam, who joined Tonbridge in 2019, began his career as an Economics and Business teacher. The co-author of textbooks for the iGCSE Business Studies course and for the AQA Economics A-level, he has also taught in Hong Kong, and his previous positions include Head of Politics at Dulwich College.
He said: “I was delighted to receive the award. It is a great honour to be recognised by former students who have gone on to read Economics in settings as exciting and prestigious as the University of Chicago.”
A Chicago spokesperson added: “The University deeply appreciates the lively minds who thirst for knowledge, nurtured and inspired by these educators. We thank our winners for going above and beyond the call of duty every day, and for leaving an impression that will be carried over a lifetime.”
The University is staging a virtual event to present winners with their awards and certificates on Wednesday 29 November.
