I am honored to be the recipient of the 2014 Robert Owen Award that is an annual recognition for inspirational educators issued by the Government of Scotland. This award is issued as part of Scotland’s hallmark annual education conference, the Scottish Learning Festival, in Glasgow every September.
In the opening ceremony of the Scottish Learning Festival on 24th September Scotland’s education minister Michael Russell said: ‘I am delighted to give Dr Pasi Sahlberg this prestigious educational award. His work is inspirational in our field and very deserving of the Robert Owen Award. I regard him as both a mentor and an inspiration. We look forward to welcoming back him back to Scotland’s shores in the future.’
In accepting the prestigious award from minister Russell I said, ‘I’m a big fan of the Scottish Learning Festival and have been there several times. It’s one of the best education conferences that I know, as it is so rich in content and a great opportunity to meet fellow practitioners.’
I am deeply honored and grateful for this award. I said to the Scottish Learning Festival audience: ‘Sadly, due to teaching commitments, I couldn’t be there this year. I am very humbled to accept the Robert Owen Award, a recognition for inspirational educators. For me, education is all about inspiration, and as educators we are inspirers ourselves, so to receive this award from Education Scotland is a fantastic honour and a great encouragement to continue my work for public education.’
I am truly looking forward to visiting Scotland very soon.