TRURO – Caring actions, kind words and extra efforts to make learning easier were attributes that earned some local teachers recognition from their students and peers during teaching excellence awards handed out this week.
“She exemplifies a caring and compassionate teacher, one who has come to be respected by all who have met and worked with her,” was how Beth Huston, a Grade 1 teacher at Tatamagouche Elementary was described, in part, during the award ceremonies held in Truro.
Huston was one of five Chignecto-Central Regional School Board teachers from the Colchester, East Hants areas who received Excellence in Teaching awards.
“Beth’s interest in the well-being of students, both present and past, have led to her often being cited by them as their most influential teacher,” the citation continued.
Michelle Young, a Grade 8 and 9 math and social studies teacher at Central Colchester Junior High School in Onslow, was likewise credited with going out of her way, both by being active in co-curricular activities and within the classroom.
“During the past two years, Michelle has revitalized student interest in the Grade 8 science program through her use of a hands-on approach to learning,” the audience heard. “She makes math and science fun to learn and relevant to student lives.”
For Young, however, who “absolutely loves” walking into the classroom every day, the fun of learning is a two-way street.
“I work hard to promote a good education for them,” she said.
“That’s my ultimate goal when I’m in the classroom.”
The other honourees include Elaine Price, also from the Onslow school, Manon Daneau from the Cobequid Educational Centre and Darlene Ells from Hants East Rural High.
Price, who primarily teaches Grade 7 English, was recognized for earning the “respect and admiration for her ability to reach students of all learning abilities.
“She sets very high standards that challenge all students while consistently encouraging and inspiring students to exceed them,” the audience heard.
Daneau, the fine arts department head at Cobequid Educational Centre, where she has served for 10 years, teaches Grades 11 and 12 dance classes and has been heavily involved in the CEC musicals for 20 years.
“‘I believe in teaching what I do and doing what I teach,” she has been quoted in her dance classes, in which she integrates history, culture, social studies and mathematics.
Daneau believes that dance requires students “to develop teamwork and collaborative learning skills that will showcase their independence and originality.”
Her efforts have helped students develop confidence and self-esteem as they build social awareness.
Ells was credited with having “the gift of subject expertise, an interest in student development, highly developed organization skills and unparalleled classroom management skills.”
During her teaching career at Hants East Rural High School in the Math Department, she has created a learning environment that forces students to work hard, to be accountable to themselves and to strive to do well.
“By removing distractions like discipline concerns and inconsistent expectations, Darlene is able to focus on teaching and learning and inspire students to work hard and do the best they can,” her citation read. “She has an outstanding ability to balance authoritative respect and student motivation.”