Educators, Partners Honoured During Provincial Education Week

NOTE: A list of Education Week award recipients follows this release.

Students at École secondaire du Sommet celebrated teachers and education partners today, April 22, hosting an awards ceremony for people who promote sustainability to children and youth.

Lt.-Gov. J.J. Grant and Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Ramona Jennex presented the annual Education Week Awards to 21 teachers and three education partners.

"The Education Week Awards are an ideal opportunity to recognize the outstanding efforts of Nova Scotia's educators, and all those who work in partnership to ensure the future is bright for the young people of our province," said Lt.-Gov. Grant.

Recipients were recognized for their efforts in helping students develop the skills and knowledge needed to shape a sustainable future. The ceremony was held on Earth Day and supports this year's Education Week theme, Teaching for a Sustainable Future.

"As a teacher myself, I've seen first-hand the dedication that teachers and education partners bring to their work," said Ms. Jennex. "I'm privileged to have the opportunity to personally help recognize this year's award recipients for being champions of sustainable practices, and using creative and innovative methods to make sure students are developing the skills, approaches and attitudes they need to succeed."

Education Week, celebrated since 1935, honours teachers and education partners' commitment to their students and subjects. This year, Education Week is April 21-27.

"I am greatly appreciative of this award," said Vanessa Henwood, a teacher from South Queens Junior High School in Liverpool. "Being recognized for the sustainable work I am doing in my classroom is encouraging and supportive."

Education Week is a co-operative effort of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, the Nova Scotia School Boards Association, the Nova Scotia Federation of Home and School Associations, la Fédération des parents acadiens de la Nouvelle-Écosse, the Association of Nova Scotia Educational Administrators and the Department of Education.

The description of each recipient is available at www.ednet.ns.ca/educationweek2013.

Following is a list of Education Week 2013 Award Recipients:

Annapolis Valley Regional School Board

• Shelley Rector, Middleton Regional High School
• Ross Wheaton, West Kings District High School
• Greg Wile, Avon View High School Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board
• Paul Bowne, Memorial Composite High School
• Gloria Farmakoulas, Glace Bay High School

Chignecto-Central Regional School Board

• Mary Alice Ali, Northumberland Regional High School

Conseil scolaire Acadien provincial

• Karim Amedjkouh, École du Carrefour
• Suzanne Belliveau, École Stella-Maris
• Nicole LeBlanc, École NDA

Halifax Regional School Board

• Tina Egan, Hawthorn Elementary School
• Ruth (Gabriel) Shore, J.L. Ilsley High School
• Michael Timmons, Waverley Memorial Elementary School

South Shore Regional School Board

• Vanessa Henwood, South Queens Junior High School
• Greg Sutherland, Hebbville Academy

Strait Regional School Board

• Shelly Campbell, Whycocomagh Education Centre
• Annette Daemen, St. Andrew's Consolidated School
• Mike MacDonald, Canso Academy
• Amy McCormack, East Richmond Education Centre

Tri-County Regional School Board

• Sean Merrett, St. Mary's Bay Academy
• Denise Reashore, Evelyn Richardson Memorial Elementary School
• Gisèle Schaus, Yarmouth Central School

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

• Marilyn Webster

Nova Scotia Federation of Home and School Associations

• Colleen Flawn

Nova Scotia School Boards Association

• Anne Peters