2015 Capital Educators' Awards - Last week to vote

Teachers play a critical role in our children’s lives, and yet, we rarely get the chance to let them know just how much we appreciate them. Nominate your favourite teacher for the 2015 Capital Educators' Award!

SPARKING CURIOSITY- UNLOCKING POTENTIAL

Nominate your favourite teacher for the 2015 Capital Educators' Award

Teachers play a critical role in our children’s lives, and yet, we rarely get the chance to let them know just how much we appreciate them. Ottawa is the only community in Canada that honours the contributions of its educators across the whole spectrum, from elementary to post-secondary!

You now have a chance to show your gratitude and make a teacher’s day (or year!) by nominating them for a 2015 Capital Educators' Awards at www.edugala.ca. The form is very simple to fill out, and will take no time.

Anyone can submit a nomination for French or English teachers from Kindergarten to PhD. Nominations close February 27, 2015.

The Ottawa Network for Education will recognize the achievements of outstanding educators and celebrate public education at the 14th annual Capital Educators’ Awards on May 21, 2015.  Award recipients are announced at the gala dinner aptly called EduGala.

The Capital Educators’ Awards recognize the achievements of outstanding educators and celebrates public education in our community – from kindergarten to PhD. All educators who have classroom teaching responsibilities at one of the 10 partner institutions in Ottawa are eligible to be nominated.  Anyone can submit a nomination form! Nominate today!

Last year 18 educators were awarded Capital Educators’ Awards at EduGala!

Here is how one of these educators inspired our youth:

Sherri Billowits a teacher at St. George School.  When presented with a challenge, Sherri is not one to shy away. With no prior experience teaching non-verbal children, she jumped in with both feet, asking questions of parents and visiting a therapy centre to learn more.  Her goal is to fully integrate these children into her class.

Her innate ability to recognize when a child really wants to learn – even with no words – is remarkable.

The other children in Sherri’s class also learn a valuable lesson of acceptance. They learn that they too can help a special needs child. In reminding parents that their community is an essential part of assisting their children, Sherri has helped these students take their rightful place in society.

Sherry Poirer was also a winner at last year’s awards.  Sherry teaches at Algonquin College and has worked in various nursing specialty areas. Her primary area of interest and passion is Community Health Nursing, specifically working with vulnerable or marginalized populations. In keeping with her Progressive Adult Education philosophy, Sherry sees education “as life itself”.  She believes that when education develops the person (as well as the mandated professional skills), the learning experience is enhanced and society, as a whole, benefits. Strategies that encourage active participation, connection to real-life situations and personal reflection are commonly used in her classes.  Oh, as well a fair bit of humor!

To nominate your favorite educator today visit www.edugala.ca!

The Ottawa Network for Education (ONFE) brings together education and community partners committed to enriching public education in Ottawa. We harness the resources of the community to help students succeed in a rapidly changing world.  Our Student Support and Career Preparation programs are in 87% of schools in Ottawa.  Over 120,000 students across the city have access to our programs.