Teacher candidate Emily Weatherhead presents an Associate Teacher's Award for Excellence to Michael CoDyre of Northbrae Public School.
Western Education celebrates annual Awards for Excellence
Education excellence was on full display Wednesday as Western’s Faculty of Education held its Awards for Excellence.
The event is held each year in honour of those who excel in their duties as supporters of the Faculty’s Teacher Education program.
Organized by the Faculty's Teacher Education office, the event celebrates associate teachers, school administrators, alternative field experience (AFE) supervisors, master teacher mentors and practicum consultants.
Associate Dean, Teacher Education, Dr. Anton Puvirajah, says the educators who make up these roles are essential to the success of the program.
"Our program—and the development of future educators—simply wouldn’t be possible without the incredible mentorship, generosity, and professionalism of our Associate Teachers and mentor teachers, and our partner school boards and the Ontario Teachers’ Federation,” Puvirajah added.
“We are deeply grateful for their ongoing commitment to excellence in teacher preparation.”
Before the awards were presented, audience members heard a keynote presentation from Education Dean Dr. Donna Kotsopoulos.
Kotsopoulos discussed her ongoing research project, Associate teaching in Ontario: Understanding new challenges and directions.
Partnering with researchers from University of Ottawa, Lakehead University and the Ontario Teachers’ Federation, the project takes an in-depth look at the roles undertaken by associate teachers and is expected to bring new and helpful insights for teacher education programs across the province.
Following the keynote, the crowd heard from several teacher candidates who delivered heartfelt speeches about the mentorship they received from the event’s award recipients.
Below is a full list of this year’s award recipients, along with a carousel of photos from the event.
Alternative Field Experience Supervisor’s Award for Excellence
Kathryn Mathyssen of SARI Therapeutic Riding.
Associate Teacher’s Award for Excellence
Lindsay Lynch of Tiger Jeet Singh Public School, Halton District School Board. Primary Associate Teacher category.
Michael CoDyre of Northbrae Public School, Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB). Junior Associate Teacher category.
Annalise Staples of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School, London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB). Intermediate Associate Teacher category.
Shelley Handley of East Elgin Secondary School, TVDSB. Senior Associate Teacher category.
Community of Excellence Award
A.B. Lucas Secondary School, TVDSB.
St. Anthony Catholic French Immersion, LDCSB.
Master Teacher Mentor’s Award for Excellence
Lindsey Milligan
