Prime Minister Honours Teachers Who Help Students Build Skills for the Future
May 10, 2000
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced the 1999-2000 recipients of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence (PMA) at a gala event on Parliament Hill in honour of national level winners. Sixteen teachers from across Canada received national recognition from Prime Minister Chrétien who congratulated them on helping students develop the skills and attitudes required for a successful future.
"The world students enter when they leave school today is bigger, faster and more competitive than ever before," said the Prime Minister. "New technologies have conquered time and distance and change now occurs in the blink of an eye. The teachers we honour tonight have embraced this challenge. Through their creativity and tremendous enthusiasm for learning, they have prepared students not only to make it in the world, but also to help make it a better world."
This year’s award recipients teach many different subjects to different grades and differing levels of ability. Subjects taught range from astronomy to auto mechanics. Many work with kids "at risk" and have been successful in helping these students stay in school and go on to further studies and careers. A common theme is the innovative use of information and communications technologies (ICT). Almost 75 per cent of the 1999-2000 recipients use some form of ICT to enrich their teaching practices.
The Prime Minister was joined at the ceremony by the Honourable Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) and (Francophonie) along with representatives of the program’s current corporate partners: Bell Canada, GE Canada, Kraft Canada, Microsoft Canada and the Royal Bank Financial Group. Dr. Duhamel thanked these corporations for their renewed commitment to the program and welcomed a new PMA partner, Canadian Learning Television.
The Prime Minister was also joined by Mariles Rettig, President of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, who stressed the importance of sharing what outstanding teachers have learned with other educators. She highlighted a new partnership with the Prime Minister’s Awards called "Sharing Teaching Excellence." This resource bank will help schools, boards and other educational organizations bring in PMA or Roy C. Hill award recipients to share their best practices. The latest PMA Exemplary Practices publication was also released at the event.
A total of 66 awards were announced at the ceremony (16 national and 50 local). Awards are worth $5,000 at the national level and $1,000 at the local level. Funds are given to winning teachers’ schools to be spent under the direction of the recipient. Highlights about the 1999-2000 PMA award winners are attached.
For more details, please contact the PMA Program Office at:1 (800) 575-9200 or visit the PMA Web site at www.schoolnet.ca/pma.
- 30 -
PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
Industry Canada: (613) 998-7168
|
Province/Level |
City |
School |
Teacher (s) |
Subject(s) Taught |
Headline |
|
Newfoundland Certificate of Excellence |
St. John’s |
Bishops College |
Renee Boyce |
Physics |
Enthusiastic teacher makes physics "phun" and helps students achieve |
|
Certificate of Achievement |
Goulds |
St. Kevin’s High School |
Tony Duffenais |
English and literature |
Popular public speaking and theatre arts programs prepare students for future |
|
St. John’s |
Bishops College |
Brian Vardy |
English, entrepreneurship, co-operative education |
Students get down to business in entrepreneurship program |
|
|
St. John’s |
Booth Memorial High School |
Wade Gillard |
Communications technology, computer technology, wood-working, home maintenance |
Innovative information and communications technology program taken up by other schools |
|
|
St. John’s |
Prince of Wales Collegiate |
Robert Rose |
Math |
Department head ensures colleagues get range of teaching experience, and students benefit from range of teaching styles |
|
|
Nova Scotia Certificate of Excellence |
Pictou |
West Pictou Consolidated School |
Mona MacDonald |
Remedial reading and classroom support through the Learning Centre (all subjects) |
Teacher capitalizes on "The Triple A’s of Success" — attitudes, advocacy and assistive technology — in remedial program |
|
Truro |
Cobequid Education Centre |
Paul Barrett |
Music, ear training, theory/ harmony, history, performance |
Band leader helps students make beautiful music while developing young citizens |
|
|
Certificate of Achievement |
Pugwash |
Pugwash District High School |
Louise Cloutier |
French, art |
Curriculum leads students from ancient to modern art; their work hangs in local galleries |
|
Prince Edward Island Certificate of Achievement |
Charlottetown |
Queen Charlotte Intermediate School |
Rowan Fitzgerald |
Band, general music appreciation |
Teacher conducts popular music program, band festivals and summer music camps |
|
New Brunswick Certificate of Achievement |
Bathurst |
Parkwood Heights Elementary School |
Joanne Hachey |
French immersion, all subjects except English |
Young learners excel in their second language |
|
Edmunston |
École Notre-Dame |
Francine Rossignol |
French, math, English as a second language, natural science, social science, art |
Peer tutors, imaginative activities and new technology help young students learn |
|
Québec Certificate of Excellence |
Lachine |
École Victor-Thérien |
France Lafleur |
Math, French, art, social science, natural science |
Grade 3 entrepreneurs run successful business and acquire technology skills |
|
Certificate of Achievement |
Baie-Comeau |
Polyvalente des Baies |
Jacques Lévesque |
Music |
Music groups take centre stage at provincial national and international competitions |
|
Montreal |
Lower Canada College |
Denys Heward |
History, social studies |
History Night features recreations of historical events, jousting matches, displays |
|
|
Montreal |
St. George’s School of Montreal |
Kathay Carson, Jennifer Hunter, Linda Leiberman |
Geography, history, integrated science, biology, physical science, chemistry |
Integrated science program for grades 7 and 8 now used across the province |
|
|
Ormstown |
Châteauguay Valley Regional High School |
Norman Woods |
Physical education, history |
Phys. Ed. program known across Quebec for quality and results — on the field and off |
|
|
Pointe-Claire |
John Rennie High School |
Nancy Lewis-Sweer |
Music |
Students of all abilities thrive in music program |
|
|
Saint-Damase |
École Saint-Damase |
Sylvain Bédard |
Music |
Publishing projects — CDs, cartoon soundtracks, videos — combine music and new technology |
|
|
Ontario Certificate of Excellence |
Baden |
Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School |
Carol-Ann Telford |
Guidance and career education, co-operative education, math, family studies |
Extensive co-op and career development program helps students make successful transition to world of work |
|
Burlington |
Lester B. Pearson High School |
Gary DaCosta |
Technology (transportation and auto mechanics) |
Students graduate into successful careers after time in auto mechanics courses |
|
|
Oshawa |
G. L. Roberts Collegiate and Vocational Institute |
Gayle Esler |
History, library, law, guidance, co-op program |
At-risk students succeed through variety of co-op opportunities |
|
|
Ottawa |
Collège catholique Samuel-Genest |
Daniel Gauthier |
Astronomy, physics, introduction to engineering |
Astronomy, physics and engineering students win awards, model expertise around the world |
|
|
Windsor |
Princess Elizabeth Public School |
George Findlay |
Guidance, English, science, physical education, design and technology |
Solid teaching in math, science and reading gets young learners off to a good start |
|
|
Certificate of Achievement |
Etobicoke |
Silverthorn Collegiate Institute |
William Menzo |
Canadian geography, environ-mental studies, travel and tourism |
Environmental and geography programs instil love of the natural world in urban students |
|
Gloucester |
Good Shepherd School |
Michelle Hurley-Desjardins |
Grade 2, all subjects |
Teacher fosters independence, communication and a love of learning in young students |
|
|
Milton |
W. I. Dick Middle School |
Mary Margaret Fraser |
English, math |
Teacher and students address school issues, such as schoolwork and report cards, together |
|
|
Ottawa |
Hillcrest High School |
Doreen Casserly |
Chemistry, co-op director, peer tutor co-ordinator |
Peer Tutor program offers high school students the chance to be a teacher |
|
|
Ottawa |
Lisgar Collegiate Institute |
Trudy Bradley |
Instrumental and vocal music |
Music program has blossomed under this motivating teacher |
|
|
Ottawa |
St. Paul Catholic High School |
Ralph Carney |
Science, physics |
Students achieve academically and win local, regional and national science fairs |
|
|
Ottawa |
Summit Alternative School |
Linda Dickson |
Languages, communication and media, math |
Teacher takes students back to the 1930s to learn and have fun |
|
|
Stratford |
Nancy Campbell Collegiate Institute |
Brenda Radford |
English, drama, art |
Integration of English, drama and art gives high school students opportunities for expression |
|
|
Sudbury |
Frank Flowers Program |
Barbara Bull |
English, personal life manage-ment, liaison teacher for young offenders |
Young offenders find their way back into regular school programs with this teacher’s help |
|
|
Thornhill |
Westmount Collegiate Institute |
Annalee McKechnie |
Teacher-librarian, all subjects |
Innovative library programs enhance learning and literacy |
|
|
Thunder Bay |
Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute |
Marlene Walther |
Business English, technological design, computer networking |
Business English, design and technology combine in successful publishing course |
|
|
Toronto |
Armour Heights Public School |
Joanne Sleightholm |
Junior kindergarten |
Very young students introduced to music and reading, develop leadership skills |
|
|
Toronto |
Francis Libermann Catholic High School |
Bob Tone |
Technological design, communications technology |
Technological education department expands and thrives; technology club excels |
|
|
Toronto |
Parkdale Collegiate Institute |
Diane Sullivan |
English |
Publishing projects promote student speaking, reading, listening and writing |
|
|
Toronto |
Riverdale Collegiate Institute |
Brenda Gale |
Guidance, English, mathe-matics, drama, co-op |
Summer mentorship program helps minority high school students pursue professional degrees |
|
|
Toronto |
Saint Joseph’s College School |
Victoria Brady |
Information technology, com-puter studies, data processing, accounting, mathmatics |
Dynamic teachers show young women they can strive for a career in technology |
|
|
Manitoba Certificate of Excellence |
Winnipeg |
R. B. Russell Vocational High School |
Jay Willman |
Integrated technology, drama and literacy |
Community Action program and plays address critical issues for inner city youth |
|
Certificate of Achievement |
Winnipeg |
John W. Gunn School |
Geoffrey Briggs, Doug McPherson, Colleen Nick-Johnson, Louise Redekop |
Math, science, language arts, social studies, creative arts, electronics technology, metals technology |
Middle-school students benefit from year-long, cross-curricular program |
|
Winnipeg |
Sisler High School |
Dennis Mogg |
Construction technology for women, micro-computer systems technology |
Drafting and microcomputer technical courses address critical skills shortages |
|
|
Winnipeg |
West Kildonan Collegiate Institute |
Gerry Corr, Gabe Kraljevic, Paul Stewart |
Micro-computer technician, operating systems, basic trouble shooting, networking, physics, robotics, computer applications, electronics, computer science |
Comprehensive program allows students to succeed with new technology |
|
|
Saskatchewan Certificate of Achievement |
Rouleau |
Rouleau School |
Guy Kerbrat |
French, math, computers, physical education, finance, housing |
Software program keeps better track of results at track and field meets |
|
Alberta Certificate of Excellence |
Calgary |
Calgary Science Centre School |
Lindsay Johnston |
Week-long science workshops for elementary students |
Elementary students excel at science in week-long program at Calgary Science Centre School |
|
Edmonton |
Eastglen High School |
Darwin Martin |
Computer processing |
Business partnerships let students work with successful professionals and state-of-the-art equipment and facilities |
|
|
Edmonton |
Lansdowne School |
Bill French |
Grade 4 Academic Challenge, Grade 5 — all subjects, Grade 6 Academic Challenge and physical education |
Year-long themes bring learning together for elementary students |
|
|
Edmonton |
W. P. Wagner School of Science and Technology |
Stephen Gallagher |
Physics, math, calculus |
Students excel in integrated math and physics courses thanks to technology and an entertaining teacher |
|
|
Certificate of Achievement |
Calgary |
Bishop Grandin High School |
Elmer Riegel |
Career and life management, psychology, music, instrumental music |
High performing and diverse band program unparalleled in city |
|
Cochrane |
Mitford Middle School |
Rob Billington |
Music and band |
Small town band makes it in the big city with standing invitation to Vancouver venues |
|
|
Edmonton |
McNally High School |
Doreen Czajkowsky |
Biology |
Biology students the best in the district, model for others around the world |
|
|
Edmonton |
McNally High School |
Kay Jauch |
Science, physics |
President of the Canada Wide Science Fair leads students to exceed provincial standards |
|
|
Edmonton |
McNally High School |
David Oberholtzer |
English, creative writing and communications |
Multi-discipline projects expose students to poetry and produce dedicated achievers |
|
|
Edmonton |
McNally High School |
Laurel Usher |
Social studies, history |
International Baccalaureate Program brings history to life and students to the world |
|
|
British Columbia Certificate of Excellence |
Vancouver |
Prince of Wales Secondary School |
Thomas Harapnuick |
Social studies, geography, economic, psychology, history, law, comparative civilizations, drama, English, consumer education |
Popular teacher uses humour and passion, to bring out the best in geography students |
|
Certificate of Achievement |
100 Mile House |
Peter Skene Ogden Community Secondary School |
Craig Walden MacCulloch |
Career and personal planning |
34 career education programs give students in small town a wide range of experience |
|
Burnaby |
Chaffey-Burke Elementary School |
Ellen Leroux |
Grade 6, all subjects |
Imaginative teacher uses potions, machines, butterflies, aquariums and manipulatives to bring science and math to life |
|
|
Delta |
Brooke Elementary School |
Irene Freeman |
Grade 1, all subjects |
Information technology introduces Grade 1 students to reading and writing and peers in Australia |
|
Delta |
Burnsview Junior Secondary School |
John Westlake |
Humanities, leadership |
B.C. at Work and B.C. QWest projects spark student interest in the humanities |
|
|
Enderby |
A. L. Fortune Secondary School |
Ed Goldstrom |
History, comparative civiliza-tion, social studies, food studies, English |
Pioneering food studies program opens up career possibilities for high school students |
|
|
Fernie |
Fernie Secondary School |
Jacquie Facca |
Life skills, remedial math and English, science, social studies |
Sports festival and other educational opportunities allow students in life skills program to thrive |
|
|
Lasqueti Island |
False Bay School |
Daniel Rubin |
Language arts, social studies, science, math, drama, computer skills |
The play’s the thing at this small island school — 11 student-written and -performed productions in just five years |
|
|
Sechelt |
Chatelech Secondary School |
Jane Sproule |
Social studies, history |
Multimedia study units immerse students in history |
|
|
Vancouver |
Eric Hamber Secondary School |
David Oakley |
Science, chemistry |
Participation increases confidence and grades in high science program |
|
|
Victoria |
Lansdowne Junior Secondary School |
Frederick Hagen |
Elementary, junior and senior concert and jazz bands, computer-generated music composition |
Composition course and extensive music and band program expose majority of student body to music, related culture and history |
|
|
Yukon Certificate of Excellence |
Whitehorse |
Jack Hulland Elementary School |
Sharon Davis |
Counsellor, kindergarten to Grade 7 |
Young students resolve conflicts on their own, participate in restorative justice program with parents |