With grade-school education such an integral part of our society, it seems everyone either knows a current teacher or has memories of a special educator who made school more interesting or maybe took extra time to help them learn.
As we head into the final week for nominations in the second annual Black Press/Staples Great Teachers program, we’re asking readers to consider putting forward the names of those people currently teaching – in public or private school – who you believe are deserving of special recognition for their efforts.
Christian Arbez, Thrifty Foods director of marketing, knows well the work grade school teachers do to make the day-to-day learning environment more interesting and engaging. His sister is an elementary school teacher in Burnaby who routinely spends extra hours in the classroom, as well as evenings and weekends, to ensure she’s able to impact her students’ learning.
“I’m really proud of the work she does,” he says. “Every year it’s like she gets a new ‘family’ coming in. She pours a lot of herself into her job, and that’s how I relate to this campaign.”
Arbez says it’s for reasons like those that Thrifty Foods is glad to partner with Black Press in Great Teachers.
Arthur Harris, owner of Saanich-based DriveWise Learning Academy, another Great Teachers partner, likes the idea of recognizing enthusiastic educators for the work they do and the positive effect they have on young people.
“As a parent, I guess you can only do so much – you give them social values – where a teacher would give them more hands-on, practical knowledge or skills,” he says.
“I’m glad that they’re being recognized and acknowledged for all the things that they do.”
Whether you’ve got children currently in the school system or simply want to see someone who is still teaching recognized for making a difference, it’s easy to do.
Simply click on this link to find instructions. We’d like to know where your nominee teaches, what grade and why you think they deserve special mention.
The nomination period ends at midnight on Sunday, May 31. You’ll be entered for a Thrifty Foods gift card just for doing so.
In June, a panel will select one honouree each from the elementary, middle school and high school levels.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
