Among celebrities backing the 2008 nomination campaign is actor Philip Glenister, who stars as DCI Hunt in a new television series Ashes to Ashes, beginning tonight (Thursday 7 February) on BBC1. Philip, pictured here by celebrity photographer Rankin with fellow actor Rob Brydon, remembers a strict primary teacher whose praise meant a lot to him.

Nominations for 2008 close at midnight on March 1.

Zoe Bidmead

Zoe, winner of the 2006 Guardian Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary school in East Midlands and an advanced skills teacher at North Kesteven School in Lincoln, was filmed teaching Year 9 students about aerodynamics in a lesson called 'Mission to Mars'.

The lesson looked at the influence of forces and used a wind tunnel to test models of rockets and aircraft made by pupils. 'It's a lesson I've enjoyed teaching before and I didn't change a thing,' says Zoe.

'It was a long day's filming but the pupils were flattered to be chosen. I needed to make them smile and laugh and we're pleased that it looks quite natural.'

Ceri Evans, winner of the 2006 Guardian Award for Secondary Teacher of the Year and head of science at Gable Hall School in Essex, says: 'As a teacher you can exercise numerous talents and skills - from motivating and inspiring others, to thinking creatively and communicating effectively. These are the skills which, we hope, will make high-fliers consider teaching.'

The TDA aims to attract more than 35,000 graduates to teaching this year, with maths and science specialists in high demand.

Ceri Evans with Mark Ramprakash

National Teaching Award winner, Ian Jamison receiving his award from Matt Willis

Ian Jamison, winner of the 2007 Guardian Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School and head of religious studies at Kingsbridge Community School in Devon, is said to have a 'unique teaching style and deep knowledge', according to Independent journalist Hilary Wilce, who saw him give 'fast-paced and collaborative lessons'.

Ian, who has taken Year 7s on a pilgrimage up Glastonbury Tor, will introduce participants to cooperative learning techniques and to the use of Kagan Learning Structures, which he credits with transforming his own style.

Nick Wergan, winner of the 2007 TDA Award for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year and head of English at Sackville School in East Grinstead, West Sussex, will discuss practical methods for maintaining student motivation in English lessons.

He is a keen advocate of an online learning environment where students find resources, submit homework, raise questions and discuss learning.

National Teaching Award winner, Nick Wergan receiving his award from Ed Balls

The Education Show 2008 takes place at the NEC Birmingham in Halls 11 and 12 from 28 February to 1 March.

Attracting over 16,500 educationists every year, it is the UK's leading educational resources event. For more information visit www.education-show.com

Tabitha, with hands clad in Sports Relief socks reaches the summit

'Summit day started at midnight on a steep path. At that altitude it's hard to eat and sleep so it seemed to take every ounce of energy to make the summit at 7 a.m. But it was well worth the effort when we saw the sunrise glistening on the glaciers.'

Back at Ysgol Emmanuel in Rhyl, north Wales, Tabitha has set up an obstacle course to represent the difficulties she faced and has given an assembly about Sports Relief that has 'challenge yourself' as its theme.

Dorothy Gregory MBE

Brigid Halligan OBE

Aimed at students aged 11–14 and 14–16, the materials and workshops engage all abilities and demonstrate real-life applications of science and maths. The contexts are accessible and exciting, closely related to the work of the RAF.

A new-look online maths resource launches soon and will form part of the RAF Target website. RAF personnel guide students through a series of curriculum-linked activities using different areas of an RAF Search and Rescue base.

Students involved in maths and science workshops

Seminar subjects at the events include: routes into teaching; how to make a successful application; what happens on a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) course; and employment-based routes into teaching.

For more information or to register, see the TDA website.