Haling Manor High School's citizenship teacher, Gita Trivedi, has proved to be more than a worthy candidate for Teacher of the Year after receiving 10 nominations from her pupils and co-workers for the accolade.

Gita, who taught citizenship for five years, said: "Citizenship isn't really taken seriously. Young people can express opinions and help what's happening across the world but people don't like to think kids can be political.

"It's a challenge to teach citizenship and make it relative and easy to understand, so if I can do that for just one person, I think that's pretty cool."

The adored teacher has been praised by pupils for her instrumental role in preparing and mentoring four year 11 students to become national winners in a 2009 UNICEF competition.

The Haling Manor winners beat 500 schools in the competition to find a group of young people to represent the UK at the Junior 8 Summit 2009 in Italy.

The Croydon team met representatives from other G8 countries, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown and President Barack Obama to discuss how to change our world for the better.

Besides her role in the national competition, Gita, 29, received nominations for her dedicated contribution to the school.

English teacher Peter Whear nominated Gita for her help in coordinating an exchange visit with Mayday School in Jamaica earlier this year as part of Haling Manor High School's International Status.

He also commended her for her citizenship classes, saying: "Gita is an outstanding Citizenship teacher.

In the space of a relatively short time, citizenship has become a subject students at Haling Manor high School enjoy and value thanks to her hard work."

Nominator and fellow teacher, Phillip Foyle said: "Gita is an example of a teacher who leads and influences by example.

"Her practice reflects her own beliefs and values.

"She is a great teacher, and thoroughly deserves this award.

"Gita is an example of a teacher who leads and influences by example.

"Her practice reflects her own beliefs and values.

"She is a great teacher, and thoroughly deserves this award."

• Do you know someone who should be nominated as a Croydon Champion? Visit croydonguardian.co.uk/croydonchampions