Digital Holocaust Memoirs, Website Dedicated to Historic Pipeline Debate & Tracing Environmental Changes Earn These Educators Top Marks from Governor General
WINNIPEG, Nov. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - The best teachers think outside the box, outside the classroom, and outside the norms of everyday curriculum. They 'bring history to life' by giving their students a real world application for knowledge, taking learning to the next action-packed memorable level.
The Governor General's History Awards for Excellence in Teaching is Canada's way of honouring our brightest teachers, celebrating their accomplishments and sharing their innovative and interactive teaching concepts. Established in 1996 by Canada's History Society, the Awards recognize teachers from elementary and secondary schools, who have inspired and challenged students to explore Canadian history in an engaging atmosphere.
This year's recipients encouraged their students to create an interactive website that investigates a controversial pipeline in the North; build historical First Nations communities; explore on foot pivotal landmarks from the past; interview and document holocaust and war veterans' personal accounts of bravery and courage; re-connect with their personal cultural and immigration histories; and study Canadians who stood up to social injustices while making a difference in the lives of people victimized by human rights violations.
For their unique teaching concepts, Canada's History has selected the following seven educators as the recipients of the 2012 Governor General's History Awards for Excellence in Teaching:
- Daraius M. Bharucha & Stefano Fornazzari San Martín - Bill Crothers Secondary School - Unionville, ON
- Milena Ivkovic - Newtonbrook Secondary School - Toronto, ON
- Brian Jaffray - Dencho Divisional Education Council - Fort Simpson, NT
- Scott Masters - Crestwood Preparatory College - Toronto, ON
- Elizabeth Phipps - Fairhaven School - Saskatoon, SK
- Janet Thompson - Gladstone Secondary School - Vancouver, BC
Deborah Morrison, President and CEO of Canada's History Society explained, "We all win if the next generation of Canadians has a better understanding and a greater interest in our past because they had a great history teacher. The teachers recognized through the Governor General's History Awards have exceptional abilities to make the past more relevant and interesting for their students." Morrison added, "This programme celebrates those achievements, but also creates opportunities to share their knowledge so more teachers and young Canadians will benefit from their expertise."
On Monday, December 10, 2012 at 10 a.m., His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will honour these teachers along with other outstanding Canadians for their achievements and contributions to furthering interest in and understanding of our history and heritage. Detailed biographical information, photos, and audio-visual materials of the recipients are available at www.CanadasHistory.ca/Awards/GG
The Governor General's History Awards bring together students, teachers, historians, museums and community organizations, writers and media producers to celebrate as well as learn from each other. The day prior to the award ceremonies, recipients will participate in a public history forum at the Canadian War Museum. This year's forum, "How Should the Great War Be Remembered?" is open to the public to attend onsite or online by registering at www.CanadasHistory.ca/HistoryForum.
Festivities will also include a celebratory "History-Makers" dinner hosted by TD Bank Group at the Canadian War Museum. TD Bank Group is the presenting sponsor of the Governor General's History Awards and also supports the generous prizing for this year's teaching recipients who will be awarded $2,500 and a gold medal. Their respective schools will also receive a cash gift of $1,000.
"Encouraging our youth to express themselves through creative means not only teaches them about history, but also allows them to experience it in exciting ways," said Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair, TD Bank Group and TD's Literacy Champion. "TD is proud to support the Governor General's History Awards for Excellence in Teaching, recognizing these educators who give so much of themselves to their students every day."
Media are invited to attend the 2012 Governor General's History Awards on Monday, December 10th at 10 a.m. at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
In addition, each recipient will have the opportunity to join other Canadian teachers on an EF Educational Tours teachers' program tour (valued at $2,000), in the summer of 2013. The trip will take teachers to historical sites in Europe, providing them with first-hand experience they can bring back to the classroom.
About Canada's History Society
Canada's History Society is a national charitable organization devoted to popularizing Canadian history. In addition to presenting the Governor General's History Awards and publishing Canada's History (formerly The Beaver) magazine, as well as Kayak: Canada's History Magazine for Kids, the Society also produces a number of educational and online programs to encourage more discovery, celebration, and understanding about our rich history and culture. More details can be found at www.CanadasHistory.ca.
About TD Bank Group
The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group (TD). TD is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves approximately 22 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Auto Finance Canada; Wealth and Insurance, including TD Waterhouse, an investment in TD Ameritrade, and TD Insurance; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, and TD Auto Finance U.S.; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with approximately 8.5 million online customers. TD had CDN$806 billion in assets on July 31, 2012. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.
SOURCE: Canada's History
To arrange an interview or for further information, please contact:
Nicole Harris
Maverick Media Solutions
Cell: 204-470-4555
[email protected]
Deborah Morrison
President & CEO, Canada's History Society
1-866-952-3444, ext. 222
[email protected]
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