A student at Blackpool and The Fylde College in Lancashire, she was one of nine finalists selected from 200 nominees nationwide. Lisa was originally chosen as NCFE Student of the Year in the North-west region but went on to win the national award.
The judges were impressed by her progression from Non-Teaching Assistant (NTA) Stage 1 in 1999 to NTA Stage 2, then special needs assistant in June 2001, as well as by her portfolio and the positive reference she received from her employers.
Lisa obtained a post in Traveller Education with Lancashire County Council last January and does one-to-one support with the children of travellers in Blackpool schools. She said, 'It's rewarding to see children have opportunities I never had.'