Repulse Bay teacher earns national recognition
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Repulse Bay (May 30/01) - The national award may have her name on it, but Repulse Bay teacher Carmie MacLean views it as recognition for the efforts of teachers across Canada
The Tusarvik school teacher was one of 15 educators in Ottawa earlier this month to accept Prime Minister's Awards for their innovative teaching techniques.
While in Ottawa, the 15 national winners were able to meet for two days and discuss their educational philosophies and distinctive approaches to teaching.
The sessions were recorded and will be published and sent to school boards and departments of Education across Canada.
"It's the type of publication you might expect from a university, with pictures and comments about our philosophies and approaches to teaching," says MacLean. "It should be out sometime next spring."
The awards were presented by Jean Chretien at a gala event.
A film crew visited each of the winners prior to travelling to Ottawa. About 45 seconds of video footage was put together from those sessions for each one.
A winner's name would be announced, where they were from and what they accomplished and the video would appear on one of the numerous big screens placed around the room.
"At the conclusion of the video we went up to shake the prime minister's hand. He posed for pictures with us and then invited our family members up to have pictures taken," says MacLean.
"Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell was also able to attend."
MacLean says a national award encourages her to keep giving her best and she takes heart in the fact teachers' efforts are noticed.
"It's wonderful they take the time to show education is important and worthy of recognition at the national level. I don't mean that for myself, personally, but for the profession of teaching in general.
"Children are such a natural resource and they are at the mercy of those who teach them."
MacLean says she tries to foster a sense of responsibility in students for their own learning. She also wants to help them realize how important a good education can be in their future lives.
"Lifelong learning is the goal for all of us. I hope I can help my students realize education is not a weight to carry around, it's a vehicle which provides choices in their lives."
