Got this email that really perked me up today. I know in my heart I put everything i can into helping my amazing pupils. And yes it can be tough from time to time but I have created friendships that will last. Here is what it said.

"Hi Ellis, Congratulations on being shortlisted for the Intelligent Instructor Awards ‘Driving Instructor of the Year’ for the North East and North West! From thousands of instructors you have been officially recognised as being one of the top 100 instructors within the UK! Intelligent Instructor is the market-leading brand in the driving instructor market and the inaugural Intelligent Instructor Awards reward excellence within this sector for instructors like yourself. To help uncover the UK’s ‘Driving Instructor of the Year’, we asked tens of thousands of learners and those who have just passed their test, to nominate their instructor whom they felt were deserving of this accolade! We asked for evidence on communication skills, pupil engagement, innovative teaching techniques, customer satisfaction and the importance of road safety within the lessons. Our independent judging panel of industry experts whittled the hundreds of entries down to the top 100, and the good news is that you made the cut! Ten regional winners will be presented with an award at our gala awards on Sunday, 6th October starting at 7pm. Each regional winner will then battle it out to be crowned Intelligent Instructor’s ‘Driving Instructor of the Year’."