April 14, 2008

Today a number of outstanding Ontario educators and support staff will receive provincial education awards fortheir contributions to student learning and achievement.

The Premier’s Awards for Teaching Excellence celebrate  outstanding individuals who work in Ontario’s schools and school boards. The number and quality of this year’s nominations demonstrated the high calibre of the province’s educators and staff.

It is an honour to have Nathan Tidridge, Teacher, WaterdownDistrictHigh Schoolrecognized with this prestigious award.

Nathan is not just a teacher, but also coach, mentor, role model and advocate. His passion for teaching brings learning to life – from re-enacting famous battles in the classroom with costumes and props, to taking students to Europe to explore actual battlefields. Whether he’shelping to start a school rugby team or urging the student council to rewrite their constitution, he inspires students. He encourages at-risk kids to explore and reflect on their learning – to grow beyond their boundaries.

Nathan Tidridge, along with the all the award recipients be recognized in six different categories at a special event held during Education Week April 28 to May 2:

§         Teacher of the Year

§         New Teacher of the Year

§         Excellent Support Staff

§         Excellence in Leadership

§         Lifetime Achievement

§         Team of the Year

QUOTES

“I have seen in Nathan Tidridge the qualities that raise him from ordinary to the extraordinary.” Said Ted McMeekin, MPP. Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale “He is not just a fine teacher, but an exceptional person dedicated to all of his students every hour of every day.”

“Each of these outstanding individuals demonstrates the incredible impact one person can have on students, schools and communities. Their achievements are inspiring,” said Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne.

“This was an exceptional group of nominees. The recipients regularly exceed expectations and make a real difference in students’ lives,” said Akela Peoples , chair of the selection panel and President and CEO of Youth in Motion .

QUICK FACTS

§         There are more than 118,000 teachers, 7,000 principals and vice-principals and thousands of support staff in Ontario schools.

§         Anyone could nominate a staff member in a publicly funded school or school board in Ontario.

§         An independent selection panel reviewed the nominations to select award recipients. The panel was chaired by Akela Peoples, President and CEO of Youth in Motion, and included a parent, principal, student, support staff member and a teacher.

LEARN MORE

Read about this year’s award recipients. 

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For further information, please contact

Ted McMeekin, MPP  905-690-6552