8 Motivational Teachers to Celebrate on Thank a Teacher Day 2022

Taking place on the 26th of May every year, Thank A Teacher Day is all about thanking those working in education up and down the U.K. From teachers in schools and colleges, to support staff, to independent teachers like those a part of the Obby Community; the day is about celebrating anyone who makes learning possible.

To help spread the the love, the official Thank A Teacher page offer the chance for you to send any member of staff working in UK schools and colleges a Thank You card; either anonymously or signed from you!

Here at Obby, we wanted to highlight a handful of some of the amazing teachers in our community who allow us to learn from them and pass on their skills. Together, they help us realise our goal to help everyone Rethink Learning. Read on to find out more about our 8 chosen teachers!

Our 8 Motivational Teachers to Celebrate on Thank a Teacher Day 2022 are:

• Anna Kosa of Anna Kosa Fine Art and Interiors
• Paula Mateo of Old Bexley Soap Co.
• Nadia Abbas and Luke Hippolyte of Stööki
• Helen Rawlinson of Helen Rawlinson Design
• Zena El Farra of MasterPeace
• Lynda Robinson of Touch Wood Vintage
• Eli Wislocka of Love and Salvage
• Brooke Dennis of Make Town

Anna Kosa, of Anna Kosa Fine Art and Interiors

A London-based abstract expressionist artist, Anna has a background in BA Design & MSc Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology. She combines her love for creativity and her psychological background to host painting workshops that are designed to help students discover the inner artist that lies within all of us; perfect for detaching from the everyday stresses of life in a relaxing and friendly environment.

Speaking to us about her workshops, Anna said "I think the way I bring positive psychology into my painting sessions is something very unique. There are lots of paint and sip classes out there, and I wanted to create an environment where people could come in and leave all their worries behind."

Paula Mateo, of Old Bexley Soap Co.

Originally from Spain, Paula Mateo is an accountant 3 days a week, and spends her remaining days running and teaching with her company Old Bexley Soap Company; offering candle and soap-making classes, along with delicious afternoon teas, in the Outer London borough of Bexley.

She was inspired to found her business after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer at just 28, which - when speaking to us here at Obby - she said made her "really reconsider my health, and what I was using on my body, because even with soap we still absorb some of it before we wash it off. So that’s the main reason I started making my own soaps, to be more conscious of what I was putting on my body, aiming to stay as healthy as possible."

Nadia Abbas and Luke Hippolyte, of Stööki

Co-founders of popular jewellery brand Stööki, Nadia Abbas and Luke Hippolyte, also run jewellery making workshops; where students can learn how to use wax carving to create their very own silver rings in a design of their choice.

In a joint-interview with us, Nadia - from her own experiences - stressed how important it is to have a good teacher encouraging you forward in your learning: "When I was studying for my jewellery-making degree I had another teacher who told me I would never make it! It’s kinda crazy she said that, because I feel as a teacher you should be there to encourage your students, not put them down."

Helen Rawlinson, of Helen Rawlinson Designs

Helen Rawlinson has over 20 years of experience in screen printing, with an MA in mixed media and embroidery from the Royal College of Arts. Her teaching experience is extensive, having worked for several years at a crafting venue in Islington passing on her skills in screen printing, lampshade making and machine embroidery to those looking to get crafty after work.

Helen now teaches screen printing in her studio from Stoke Newington, where you can learn how to screen print with paper stencils and the process of pulling ink through an open screen to create your own unique designs.

When Helen spoke to us about what she loves about teaching and her students, she spoke of the "look of wonder and satisfaction after pulling a print and lifting up the screen is always a winner for me, and I love the diversity of people that come to my classes. From inky mishaps on the studio floor to incredible scalpel skills at making paper stencils, there have been plenty of memorable moments."

Zena El Farra, of MasterPeace

Zena El Farra founded "London’s first dedicated mindful art experience" back in 2019, after leaving her corporate city job to set up the Belgravia-based drop-in studio. Drawing on her own experiences with burn-out, Zena set up MasterPeace with the aim to help others discover the power of creativity as a tool to unwind and relax; incorporating mindfulness into MasterPeace's Coached Painting sessions.

During the pandemic, Zena and the MasterPeace team worked to help people relax with creativity at home with their Painting Kits; which have proved a massive hit. Featured in the Daily Mail, Evening Standard, Forbes, Tatler, Stylist and more, MasterPeace has gone from strength to strength in the 3 years it has been running. This was emphasised by Zena's appearance on the 18th series of Dragon's Den, pitching MasterPeace to the Dragons, and eventually winning over Deborah Meaden who decided to invest in the business.

At their base in Ecclestone Yards, Zena's team of artists offer a wide range of Coached painting classes for both adults and kids to get stuck into; helped by their signature mini-projectors. Their Painting Kits offer a great opportunity to relax at home with pre-drawn canvas, with all the materials you need to re-create your chosen artwork fitting in a letterbox-friendly package!

Eli Wislocka, of Love & Salvage

Founder and teacher at London-based Love and Salvage, Eli Wislocka helps teach her students how to reuse scrap pieces of leather and fabric and turn them into the most stylish handbags, shoes and pouches!

With a focus on sustainability, Eli and her business aim to keep as much of this beautiful material out of landfills as possible with their workshops and kits. Whilst she doesn't have a background in the fashion, Eli's passion for the environment and crafty nature have made Love and Salvage a success.

When asked about what stands out to her in her workshops, Eli spoke to us about how her students inspire her: "You know, the thing that always sticks out to me is I’m always amazed by how capable people are of designing things for themselves - the shoe designs and the bag designs, it’s astonishing!"

Lynda Robinson, of Touch Wood Vintage

Started as a passion project after being made redundant, Lynda Robinson's upcycling business - Touch Wood Vintage - has gone from strength to strength in the 7 years it's been running. Her signature colourful wallpapered furniture has proved a hit, as she now not only creates her own pieces but also passes on her skills in her workshops.

Speaking to Lynda, she explained what she loves most about teaching her workshops: "I love how it can brighten people’s day. I found in my group workshops that people would come in all grumpy from a horrible week's work, and then leave with smiles on their face. I love how just 4 hours of learning how to up-cycle changed their moods entirely!"

Brooke Dennis, of Make Town

From mini-loom weaving, to macrame plant hanging, to knitting workshops, if you're looking for a crafty teacher then Make Town is the place to be. Set up by Brooke Dennis, the vibrant Hackney-based studio offers all the tools, equipment, and materials needed to get stuck into your next crafting project. With expert tutors and a focus on community, you'll be sure to find your place here amongst other crafty humans.

Brooke spoke to us about what she loves most about teaching, discussing how crafting can help with our well-being: "Having an external space to engage with is really helpful for disconnecting from work and home, especially as the pandemic has fused those both together. It has become a real melting pot for those from overseas, for those without family here, for those new to the city, and for those wanting a new community. I know it helps from first hand experience, and I feel it all the time in my students."

Want to know more?

Interested in finding out more about our amazing Obby Teachers? Check out some blogs featuring our teachers and learn their stories below:

• Obby Teacher, Sahar Millinery, nominated for John Smedley Craft Prize
• Obby Introduces: ArtistAnd
• Elliot Walker, star of Netflix's hit series Blown Away, joins Obby
• Obby Introduces: Touch Wood Vintage
• Obby Teacher, MasterPeace, featured in Financial Times
• 5 Best Web Designs For Counsellors (with templates)