Heritage's National Excellence Awards for Teachers Recognize Our Top Teachers

TORONTO , Oct. 7 /CNW/ - Heritage Education Funds Inc. and the Heritage Educational Foundation are pleased to announce the winners of this year's Heritage National Excellence Awards for Teachers (NEAT). The Heritage NEAT awards honour teachers who have made a positive impact on their students' lives, inspiring a love for learning and helping their students to reach their full potential. The awards will be presented at each winner's school location across the country.

"Teachers plant the seeds of knowledge, cultivate a love of learning and help our children get ready to take on the challenges of the world," says Scott McIndless, Chairman and Director of Heritage Educational Foundation. "While we thank them for their hard work, this year's honourees consider it a privilege to teach."

    
    The 2009 NEAT award winners are:

    Nova Scotia           Cathy Reimer,
                          Aldershot Elementary School, Aldershot, NS

    Ontario               Christine d'Avernas,
                          Flemington Public School, Toronto, ON

    Ontario               Steve Bock,
                          Durham Christian Academy, Courtice, ON

    Alberta               Janine Gummesen,
                          Ecole St. Gerard School, Grande Prairie, AB

    British Columbia      Sallie Boschung,
                          Sir James Douglas Annex, Vancouver, BC
    

"Research shows that education is the key to children's future success", says Robert Coleman , President of Heritage Education Funds Inc. "We feel it is especially important to recognize Canadians dedicated to teaching in those early years (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6) that have a fundamental impact on a child's ability to learn and flourish long term. Each entry was a unique story of how the teacher worked to motivate and challenge, often giving selflessly of their time to do so. We are proud to acknowledge these five extraordinary Canadian teachers who put their students first and have a passion for education."

    
    About the Heritage Educational Foundation and Heritage Education
    Funds Inc.
    

The Heritage Educational Foundation is one of Canada's leading providers of RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). Heritage Education Funds Inc. is the distributor of Heritage Education Savings Plans. The Foundation's objective is to encourage parents, grandparents or other interested adults to save for a child's post-secondary education through a planned education savings program. Each year, the Heritage National Excellence Awards for Teachers awards acknowledge individual teachers who have introduced innovative methods of teaching and learning. By stretching the horizons and raising the expectations of their students, they make a real difference in the lives of our country's children.

For further information: Marjorie Cullen, Director, Marketing and Communications, Heritage Education Funds Inc., Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected], www.HeritageRESP.com