A dedicated teacher has helped Gillian Gibson's disabled daughter "come on leaps and bounds".

Amarni Gibson, who celebrated her sixth birthday at the weekend, was born with a rare genetic disorder called Williams Syndrome.

Caused by an abnormality in chromosomes, it affects the development of the brain and muscle movements.

Amarni was unable to smile until she was eight months old and by the age of two, she had been admitted to hospital 23 times and undergone five operations.

The condition affects about one in 25,000 people and there is no cure, but most sufferers lead full, active and healthy lives.

Miss Gibson is delighted with the way Kathleen Morris, Amarni's teacher at Oakleigh Gardens School, Cleadon, is helping her to do this, and has nominated her for Role Model of the Year in the Pride of South Tyneside Awards.

She said: "Mrs Morris has worked at Oakleigh Gardens School for more than 25 years, teaching children of all ages with special needs. She is dedicated to her job.

"She is more than a teacher to these children. All the children look up to her.

"She takes them to do wake up and shake up in the mornings. Amarni has come on leaps and bounds since joining her class two-and-a-half years ago.

"She really needs to be noticed for what she does. She's an amazing teacher and I would like to thank her. An award like this would be fantastic for her.

"I am not just speaking for myself, but for all the parents with children in her class, P1."

Mrs Morris, 58, of South Shields, said it was "a lovely surprise" to be nominated again, after Miss Gibson put her forward for Teacher of the Year in 2007.

She added: "The children I have are just a joy to teach and an inspiration. As far as I am concerned, I am really privileged to work with them.

"They are wonderful children right across the school. I am sure every teacher would back me on that.

"It is a lovely school made so by the lovely children who go there."

To nominate someone for an award, pick up a form from the Gazette office in Chapter Row, South Shields, call Angela Reed on 427 4856, or click on this link.

The closing date for nominations is Monday, March 23.

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