Nominations open for teaching excellence awards

BySRTA

The following is a press release from Manitoba Education. The opening of nominations came as part of the World Teacher Day celebrations on October 5, 2013.

Education Minister Nancy Allan is urging all Manitobans to mark Oct. 5 World Teachers’ Day on their calendars as a day to celebrate the enormous contribution teachers make to society.

“Our government is proud to honour the work that teachers do every day to educate our youngest citizens,” said Allan. “Teachers are vital to the success of our province and we are committed to supporting teachers by increasing funding to education every year we’ve been in office, reducing class sizes in kindergarten to Grade 3, building new schools, expanding gyms and renovating science labs to provide state-of-the-art learning environments.”

The minister noted that teachers are represented on the province’s oversight committee for the new provincial report card, smaller class size initiative and the provincial code of conduct. “We know that in order to have a strong education system the government needs to listen to the professionals in the classroom.”

“Teachers are the key professionals and community members who help make diversity and democracy work because teachers welcome students of every background, ability and need into their classrooms, and teach them not only to work, but to work together. The pillars of democracy take strength and shape in the classrooms of our province,” said Paul Olson, president, the Manitoba Teachers’ Society.

The minister also announced that nominations are now being accepted for the eighth annual Celebration of Excellence in Teaching Minister’s Awards to recognize outstanding Manitoba teachers.

“Almost everyone has a memory of that special teacher who made learning fun,” said Allan. “In honour of World Teachers’ Day, I encourage everyone to nominate deserving educators to acknowledge their skill, dedication and hard work.”

This year, awards will be presented in the following categories:

  • teaching excellence,
  • outstanding new teacher,
  • team collaboration, and
  • outstanding school leader.

In all four award categories, nominations are open to educators with a valid, permanent Manitoba teaching certificate who work directly with students on a daily basis in a school setting.

Nominations may be submitted by parents or legal guardians, students, school trustees, fellow teachers and, school and school division administrators.

The Celebration of Excellence in Teaching Awards have been honouring creative, innovative and effective teaching practices in Manitoba since 2006.

The submission deadline for all awards is Dec. 10. More information on the nomination process, selection criteria and all necessary forms is available at www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/excellence.

World Teachers’ Day was first proclaimed in 1994 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Education International.

Click here to access the nomination forms (Manitoba Education website).