Does Your Child Have One of Canada's Top Teachers?

Cyberspace, Board Games and Cattle Ranching in the Classroom Earn These Educators an A-plus from the Governor General

OTTAWA , Nov. 17 /CNW/ - While reading, writing and arithmetic are the cornerstone of a child's education, seven teachers from across the country are pioneering a new lesson in learning. Students in Alberta are being empowered with 21st century tools as they employ cyberspace to explore Canada's past. While in Quebec , Grades 5 and 6 students in one school have landed a leading role in history by starring in their own documentary. And in Ontario, one teacher has created Parliament Hill-style question periods in the classroom to debate controversial laws. For these innovative and interactive teaching concepts, Canada's National History Society has selected the following seven educators as the recipients of the 2009 Governor General's Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History.

    
           Lindsay Hall - Huron Park Secondary, Woodstock, Ontario
       Michel Marcotte - École Primaire Primadel, Saint-Adelphe, Quebec
       Brent Pavey - Waterloo Collegiate Institute, Waterloo, Ontario
         Neil Robinson - Westmount Charter School, Calgary, Alberta
         Neil Stephenson - Calgary Science School, Calgary, Alberta
      Karen Wight & Alison England - Longview School, Longview, Alberta
    

Detailed biographical information and photos of each of the recipients are available for download through the press room of the History Society's website:

www.historysociety.ca/abo.asp?subsection=new&page=pre

The Governor General's Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History were established in 1996 by Canada's National History Society to encourage innovation in history education. Every year, the Awards recognize teachers from elementary and secondary schools who have inspired and challenged students to explore Canadian history in a unique, interactive atmosphere. Deborah Morrison , CEO and President of Canada's National History Society said, "These awards acknowledge how childhood educators are providing children with the kinds of learning and critical experiences that will positively affect them for the rest of their lives." Morrison adds, "Today we recognize these remarkable teachers for sharing their knowledge and innovative curricula and hope that, through this program, their achievements also inspire other educators."

The seven recipients will be awarded $2,500 and a gold medal and their respective schools will also benefit from a cash gift of $1,000 . The Awards prizes and memorable events are made possible through the generous support of the TD Bank Financial Group.

On Friday, November 20, 2009 , Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada , will present the Awards at Rideau Hall. Another highlight of the Award festivities is the gala dinner and a rare insiders' tour of the Library and Archives Canada Preservation Centre, one of the program partners.

This year's event includes the presentation of six additional history awards, uniting students, teachers, historians, and producers of popular history to celebrate national achievement in bringing Canada's past to life.

In addition to the Governor General's Awards, the Rideau Hall ceremony will also include presentations for two other History Society honours: Paul Gross , recipient of the 2009 Pierre Berton Award, and the winners of the new Kayak Kids Illustrated History Challenge which encourages Canadian students between the ages of 7-14 to create their own illustrated story based on any aspect of Canadian history and heritage they find of interest. This year's recipients are Zoé Banville (age 12), from Red Deer, Alberta and Charlotte McNeely (age 9), from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

This year's ceremonies will also include the announcement and presentation of the 2009 Begbie Canadian History Contest for high school students which provides students with the opportunity to test their skills in history against those of students from schools across Canada . This year's recipients are Amy Wu from Burnaby, British Columbia and Mathieu Sasseville from Ottawa , Ontario. Other awards to be presented include the Canadian Historical Association's Sir John A. Macdonald Prize and the Historica-Dominion Institute's Great Canadian Questions Essay Competition.

Members of the media are invited to attend the 2009 Governor General's Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History on Friday, November 20, 2009 at 10 a.m. at Rideau Hall.

About Canada's History Society

Canada's National History Society is a charitable organization dedicated to popularizing Canadian History. In addition to the Governor General's Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History, the Society also publishes Canada's History Magazine: The Beaver and Kayak, Canada's History Magazine for Kids.

About Library and Archives Canada

The mandate of Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is to preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations and to be a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, thereby contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada . LAC also facilitates co-operation among communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge and serves as the continuing memory of the Government of Canada and its institutions.

About TD Community Giving: Making a Difference Together

Children's health, literacy and education, and the environment are the three primary areas of focus for TD's community giving. The major flagship programs within these areas are: TD Children's Hospital Fund, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, TD Canadian Children's Book Week, TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Community Leadership, and the TD Summer Reading Club. In addition, through the support of our customers and employees, TD is involved with a host of national, regional and local programs in support of diversity, arts and culture and other causes. In 2008, TD donated $35 million to more than 2,100 organizations across Canada .

For further information: Media Information: To confirm your attendance at the ceremony, please contact: Marie-Eve Letourneau, Rideau Hall Press Office, Office: [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]; To book an interview with the recipients, please contact: Nicole Harris, Maverick Media Solutions Inc., Cell: [phone], [email protected]; Deborah Morrison, CEO, Canada's National History Society, 1-866-952-3444 ext. 222, [email protected]