Award hopes for a '˜natural born teacher' from Bispham

A Blackpool teacher and business owner who helps deaf people to communicate has been nominated for a national award.
Janice Crossland-Jones, who teaches British sign language (BSL)Janice Crossland-Jones, who teaches British sign language (BSL)
Janice Crossland-Jones, who teaches British sign language (BSL)

Janice Crossland-Jones, who teaches British sign language (BSL), has made the shortlist for the Professional Contribution Award at the 2018 Signature Annual Awards.

She has been nominated for the award due to “her commitment and unique style of leadership which engaged everone who meets her”.

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Janice, inset, is the owner of the Bispham-based Fylde Coast BSL Centre, where she teaches. She founded the business in 2007 and has gone on to win several awards including the Best UK Deaf Business award at the Deaf Business Awards.

She has also won the Signature North West Region Teacher of the Year award in 2010 and 2014.

Janice said she could not believe she was up for the award at first and is looking forward to the ceremony, which takes place on November 9.

She added: “I am really overwhelmed with the nomination. I am hoping to win this year as its the 10th anniversary for Signature Annual Awards – this will mark the rest of my life.”

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Signature is a charity that promotes communication between deaf, deafblind and hearing people.

The awards recognise people who are going above and beyond to improve access for deaf people .

A spokesman for Signature said: “A natural born teacher and leader, Janice is dedicated to her students and is well known for the level of passion, support and understanding she gives to each and every one of them.”