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[ This is Derbyshire 2011.06.11 ]
DR Dorothy Heathcote has been devoting her life to educating children and teachers about drama.
Even at the age of 84, she shows no signs of slowing down her career, which has already spanned more than 50 years.
The news that she was to become an MBE, for services to drama in education, in the birthday honours came as a surprise to Dr Heathcote.
She said: "I was completely astonished when I received the letter informing me and I had to sit down. But now I have got used to the idea I am delighted and looking forward to travelling to London to receive the honour in due course."
Self-taught, Dr Heathcote shows how drama can be used to help children and adults in challenging circumstances or with special needs. She is the ambassador for British drama and education and continues to travel extensively to promote her work. Her writing and models of practice are used throughout the world.
Four years ago, Dr Heathcote received an honorary degree in education from the University of Derby, when she was described as "one of the best teachers of the 20th century".
Dr Heathcote was born in West Yorkshire but has lived in Spondon for almost 10 years.
After failing to progress as an actress, she fell into teaching and in 1951 was appointed staff tutor at the Durham Institute. Over the next ten years, Dr Heathcote's reputation grew as more people saw her teach.
In 1966, her work first appeared on film in Death of a President. She quickly became known to a wider audience and began travelling abroad to teach. In the 1980s, her work took her back into schools.
Later this month, Dr Heathcote will host 18 Palestinian students who will work with her on drama techniques.
She said: "It's amazing they want to travel all this way to be taught but I am looking forward to meeting them. Even after all this time, I still get letters from people I taught years ago."
