A Waterford teacher has received a Rising Educator Award after graduating with First Class Honours from Dublin City University.

Lynsey Penkert completed a Professional Masters of Education in Post-Primary teaching and was also named on the Dean’s Honours List.

She received the Rising Educator Award in recognition of her commitment to teaching and her contribution throughout her studies at DCU’s Institute of Education.

Lynsey is a past pupil of Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School and De La Salle College in Waterford.

She also holds a Business Management with Law degree from SETU and previously spent five years working as a Special Needs Assistant at De La Salle College, where she later completed her two-year teaching placement.

She was also recently awarded the 2026 John O’Connor Award for Excellence in Business Studies Teaching by the Business Studies Teachers’ Association of Ireland.

Speaking after receiving the Rising Educator Award, Lynsey said becoming a teacher had been a long-held ambition.

‘Becoming a teacher has been a dream of mine since I left school, so receiving this award really is a dream come true,’ she said.

‘My journey through the PME was not without its challenges, particularly while facing cancer, but I hope my experience shows my students that even during life’s most difficult moments, it is never too late to follow your dreams.’

More than 4,700 students graduated from DCU during its Autumn 2026 ceremonies.