2006 Teaching Awards Honourees
Yvonne Dufault – Secondary Teacher
French immersion, ESL, Special Education
Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School, Markham
York Region District School Board
When Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School in Markham graduated its first students last year, many of them had the privilege of being guided not just in academics but in citizenship. A colleague described Yvonne Dufault as "a multi-faceted, inspirational, compassionate, understanding, innovative, motivational, unselfish, generous, creative teacher who has spent her entire career demonstrating that students can do almost anything." Does Ms. Dufault agree? "The students have done all the work. I just wave the wand." She commented.
Elaine Ireland – Elementary Teacher
Grade 2
Duncan J. Schoular Public School, Smiths Falls
Upper Canada District School Board
To a Grade 2 classroom in a small town that calls itself the Chocolate Capital of Ontario, Elaine Ireland has introduced the world. Her principal, Pat Graveline, calls her "the epitome of the teacher that teaches the whole child and reaches her students through their various learning styles and multiple intelligences." Mrs. Ireland has an individual wish for her "terrific twos" - "I want them to remember me as someone who has given them the spark for learning."
Mohini Basran – Elementary Teacher
Reading Recovery, English as a Second Language
St. Edmund School, Mississauga
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Boards
Mohini Basran said goodbye to the classroom this year after three decades of teaching. She knew even before wiping the chalk from her hands for the last time that she'll be back volunteering as soon as the doors opened again in the fall. Her principal Deirdre Furlong calls her "a gift". She listens, mentors, encourages and guides staff young and old. She invites parents to observe their child learning, and she models and shares suggestions they can use at home. "Teaching is not a job for me. It's my passion."
Gregg Lee – Beginning Teacher
Grades 10 and 12 Business and Hospitality
St. Francis Xavier Secondary School, Mississauga
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
Gregg Lee is all business and his students love him for it. "Business is the most fabulous subject of all," he says, "because it's the most practical subject...there is business all around us. It's easy to bring it to life." He has done just that. A former student remembers, "his commitment to education beyond the classroom environment has led many students to achieve beyond their report cards."