Borris College Teacher Jacqueli
ne Sheil Named The B!G Idea Creativity Champion 2026
The B!G Idea Creativity Champion Award recognises not only an outstanding teacher but someone who truly embodies and champions The B!G Idea ethos, bringing creativity to life in everything they do.
This year, KCETB are delighted that Jacqueline Sheil of Borris College has been awarded The B!G Idea Creativity Champion 2026.
Congratulating Jacqueline on her achievement, Dr Pauline Egan, Director of Schools at KCETB, said: “Hearty congratulations to Jacqueline Sheil, Borris College, on being named this year’s Creativity Champion. Jacqueline consistently brings The B!G Idea to life in her classroom, creating an engaging and productive learning environment where students are supported to do their best work. The high standard of student projects reflects her commitment and approach. KCETB is very proud of Jacqueline, and of all our teachers who promote The B!G Idea and support the value of creativity across our schools. Well done to Jacqueline on a fantastic achievement and on this well-deserved recognition.”
Speaking after receiving the award, Jacqueline said: “I am delighted to be named Creativity Champion for 2026. Allowing my students to build creative confidence in my classroom has been a wonderfully rewarding experience in Borris College. The quality of the resources, support, and energetic enthusiasm of The B!G Idea team is infectious and allows the magic to happen.
The sheer joy of wearing LEGO glasses and using LEGO to develop design-thinking skills is ingenious, bringing out the inner child in all students. Choosing which problem to solve and who they will work with encourages student autonomy and allows teamwork skills to flourish.
The mentor feedback is constructive and affirming, helping students reflect on and further develop their ideas. Facilitating design thinking enables students to think independently and builds confidence in their ability to creatively solve real-life problems. Without doubt, it equips young people with the skills required for the fast-paced, ever-changing world we live in today.
Working with The B!G Idea team, who acknowledge and celebrate everyone involved, is truly a pleasure. Championing creativity is easy when surrounded by such a wonderful team. A special thank you to Kim, the brainchild behind The B!G Idea, and to the entire team.”
Kim Mackenzie-Doyle, CEO and Instigator of The B!G Idea, praised Jacqueline’s impact:
“The B!G Idea All-Island Creativity Champion award recognises the educators who change what’s possible for young people in this country, and Jacqueline Sheil is exactly that. As TY Co-ordinator at Borris College, she has built the conditions, trust, time, permission to try – that let students think creatively about the issues shaping their futures and develop the skills to solve them. She has been one of the strongest advocates for The Big Idea programme nationally since our inception, and this recognition is richly deserved.”
Students of Borris College also celebrated success at The B!G Idea Awards
Students Lucy Poole, Calvin Kelly, Nora Canal Garrido, and Amy Quinn were named winners of the Achieving Equality Award for their team project, Freemove.
The team tackled one of society’s most overlooked everyday challenges: accessibility. Their innovative app helps wheelchair users identify accessible and welcoming locations through mapping, practical information, and community reviews. Rather than treating accessibility as an afterthought, they embedded inclusion at the heart of their solution.
Their project demonstrates how empathy, technology, and thoughtful design can come together to create meaningful change and make everyday experiences more accessible for everyone.
Students Eimear O’Shea, Aine Murphy, and Grace Byrne were crowned the Overall Winners of The B!G Idea 2026 with their team project, Please Generate.
Their project addressed one of the most significant questions facing education today: how can students learn effectively in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence?
Rather than viewing AI as a threat, the team developed an AI-powered study platform designed by secondary school students, for secondary school students. The platform encourages purposeful use of AI to support deeper learning, independent study, creativity, confidence, and critical thinking.
Featuring an AI chatbot tutor that prompts reflection rather than shortcuts, alongside flashcards and collaborative study tools, the project demonstrated both ambition and thoughtful execution.
The achievements of Jacqueline and her students reflect the power of creativity, innovation, and student-led problem-solving.