2016 Associate Teacher Award of Excellence winners (from left to right) Katrina Brown, Carole Renders, Kerry Day. Not pictured: Maria Diakidis.
Faculty of Education honours valued partners with 2016 Associate Teacher awards
It takes many high-performing individuals and organizations working together to deliver a program as successful as Western’s Bachelor of Education.
Professors, instructors, curriculum designers and school boards are among them, as are the group most recently honoured by the Faculty of Education, the Associate Teachers.
Associate Teachers supervise, support and mentor BEd Teacher Candidates who are on teaching practicum placements at schools throughout a number of different school boards.
In recognition of this dedication and support to the BEd program and students, Faculty of Education leaders gathered at Windermere Manor June 4 to name Katrina Brown, Carole Renders,Kerry Day and Maria Diakidis the recipients of the 2016 Associate Teacher Awards of Excellence.
“You are an absolutely integral part of the Bachelor of Education program, and we could not do this without you,” said Teacher Education Associate Dean Margaret McNay. “No one person is more important to the practicum experience than the Associate Teacher.”
Winners are nominated each year by the BEd students with whom they work. Dozens of nominations are received each year, at which point a committee within the Faculty of Education takes on the difficult task of selecting four winners.
McNay read student comments to the winners during the recognition event.
“She was clearly invested in my success.” “My confidence was boosted every single day.” “She is the embodiment of what a teacher should be.” “A work ethic that doesn’t quit.” “A compassionate and diligent teacher.”
Katrina Brown, who teaches at June Callwood Public School, was moved to tears as she accepted her award.
“I’m sorry, I’m just so happy to hear this type of thing,” she said, wiping her eyes. “It means so much to me.”
The Faculty of Education has been presenting the Associate Teacher Awards of Excellence for more than 30 years. While they recognize individual teachers for their contributions, they’re also a nod to the school boards and schools that welcome Teacher Candidates.
This year, all four winners came from the Thames Valley District School Board.
Jenny Schreff, Principal of Orchard Park Public School, is happy to have her school take part in the practicum program.
“It’s important to get student teachers out into the schools,” she said. “We want to inspire them with role models who exemplify the profession, and we couldn’t be more proud of our teachers for doing just that.”
2016 Associate Teacher Award of Excellence Winners
Maria Diakidis, Wilfrid Jury Public School
Katrina Brown, June Callwood Public School
Carole Renders, Orchard Park Public School
Kerry Day, Saunders Secondary School
