Recognizing Outstanding Teachers
Ottawa Journal (February 11 – February 15, 2021)
Teachers play an immense role in shaping the minds of our children and through their enthusiastic and innovative teaching styles, they can inspire our children to be the best they can be in every aspect of their lives. These kinds of teachers possess many unique gifts and qualities and it’s important to recognize them for their dedication to educational excellence. The Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Early Childhood Education are two ways we can honour these exceptional educators.
The Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education are awarded to extraordinary early childhood educators who have demonstrated their excellence by successfully cultivating the early development and socialization of the children in their care and by helping to establish a solid base for children to have the best possible start in their young lives. For this category, up to five Certificates of Excellence (national level), each including a financial award of $5,000 are given, as well as up to ten Certificates of Achievement (regional level), each including a financial award of $1,000. The financial awards for the Certificates of Excellence are shared equally between the recipient and their early childhood education (ECE) setting to be spent under the recipient’s direction. Once applications have gone through initial screening to ensure they meet basic eligibility, they are passed on to the selection committee, comprised of early childhood education and care practitioners and stakeholders from across the country. The committee considers four criteria when evaluating nominations: support of child development; innovation; involvement with parents, families, and the community; and commitment and leadership in the field.
The Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence are awarded to extraordinary elementary and secondary school teachers in all disciplines who have successfully instilled a passion for learning from their students and who have also integrated information and communications technologies (ICT) into their teaching, to provide their students with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in 21st century society and economy. For this category, up to 15 Certificates of Excellence (national level), including a financial award of $5,000 are given, as well as up to 35 Certificates of Achievement (regional level), including a financial award of $1,000. The financial awards for the certificates of Excellence are shared equally between the recipient and their school or teaching institution to be spent under the recipient’s direction. Following the initial screening to meet basic eligibility, applications for this category are also forwarded to the selection committee who will evaluate the nominees based on their performance in five areas: innovative and exemplary teaching practices; digital literacy and information communications technologies (ICT) in the classroom; student skills development; student achievement and participation; and teacher commitment and leadership.
Guidelines and nomination forms for the 2013 Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Early Childhood Education are now available at www.pma.gc.ca. Please note that nomination packages must be date stamped no later than March 31, 2021.
If you know an outstanding educator here in Dufferin-Caledon, give them the recognition they deserve by nominating them for a Prime Minister’s Award!