London Teachers' Wall of Fame
Two of London finest teachers were honored on Friday October 5, 2007. Monique Mailloux and Shelley Kostecki were named this year's recipients of the Teachers' Wall of Fame awards, a program sponsored by the Faculty of Education and the London Public Library.
Shelley Kostecki, nominated by two of her former students, retired from Wortley Road Public School where she taught primary classes and music. Mrs. Kostecki's philosophy that "everyone learns differently" translated into her day-to-day practice. "Each child must learn to respect each others' strengths and weaknesses." Her student nominator summed it up, saying, "Mrs. Kostecki has a way of making everyone feel special and smart."
Monique Mailloux was a French immersion teacher at Lord Roberts School. One parent described Mme. Mailloux's positive influence. "Her class activities reflect her commitment both to teaching and the larger social issues." Her student nominator put it another way, "Madame is a very hard teacher but she's so nice that that's okay and it's for our own good."
Following a lunch for the recipients and their nominees, hosted by Dean Julia O'Sullivan, a formal presentation of the awards took place at the Library. Photographs and biographies of the recipients will hang on permanent display in the Library.
This is the third year that two London area teachers have received the award. Professor Rebecca Coulter initiated the Teachers' Wall of Fame in 2004 in partnership with the Library to recognize World Teachers' Day. Each Spring, nomination forms are sent to area schools looking for nominations for teachers who are at the end of their career or are recently retired. A panel made up of members of the Faculty of Education, the London Public Library and prominent community members chose the recipients from a group of outstanding nominees.
