Redcar and Cleveland College’s Jessie Baguley flew the flag for all the key workers as she took part in the Queen’s Baton Relay.

Picking up the baton at The Palace Green in Durham, she said: “It was pretty amazing and I was really excited. It wasn’t as heavy as I thought and I didn’t drop it, so I was quite happy.”

A former engineering further education lecturer and a squadron warrant officer with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, Jessie had been nominated by her sister-in-law for her commitment to the young people, specifically during lockdown.

Jessie said: “I felt really honoured, particularly coming from her, as both my sister-in-law and brother work in the NHS and at times, during covid, both have worked in intensive care.  The fact that after witnessing the biggest impact of covid, she took the time to think of me, I honestly felt quite humbled.”

Like so many teachers and key workers during the lockdowns, Jessie was determined to give a bit of normality to her learners and young air cadets.

“I wanted to offer as many live lessons as I could so that the students could interact with me instantly and ask questions” she said. “Engineering is such a visual subject; I didn’t want them to miss out.”

At times it meant Jessie was regularly sitting on Teams from eight in the morning until ten at night.

Added to that was the challenge of adapting to the needs of each individual learner.

Jessie explained: “By doing as many of the lessons live as I could, it ensured each student was getting the best education possible at that time.”

As for the cadets, she said: “We were so aware that it was something they needed. It was a chance to talk to friends and a break for them.”

Finding out in January this year she had been nominated to carry the Queen’s Baton, Jessie, who is now working as engineering partnerships officer at Redcar and Cleveland College, admits she thought it was a joke.

She said: “When I realised it wasn’t, I felt honoured.”

While walking those 200 metres, Jessie felt modest about her contribution, she said: “It was lovely for that short moment in time to feel I was representing all the key workers.  It wasn’t about me, it was about everyone, all those people, their families, and my brother and sister-in-law who, with covid still prevalent, are still, at times, working in full PPE.”