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INUVIK - It's easy to tell Barry McEvoy belongs in a classroom. A natural communicator, he speaks with an energy and earnest enthusiasm that makes him a magnet for conversation.

The Samuel Hearne secondary school art teacher loves his job.

A few teacher colleagues huddle for a group shot at a get-together held at the Mackenzie Hotel to mark the NWT Teachers' Association thank you for making a difference campaign. They are, from left, Barry McEvoy, Samuel Hearne secondary school teacher; Dave Roebuck, NWT Teachers' Association executive director; Joe George, Sir Alexander Mackenzie school teacher; and Samuel Hearne teachers Tom Sotiriou and April Crabb. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"You come up to my art room and see some of the work these kids are doing," he said. "It's amazing. We've got some heavy hitters in there who will be going to top art schools, there's no question about that."

He was among a small gathering of Inuvik teachers at the Mackenzie Hotel restaurant on Friday. They're here to celebrate the end of the NWT Teachers' Association thank you for making a difference campaign.

With association members in attendance, it's a moment to catch up and to give each other a pat on the back, while a few door prizes are given away as appreciation tokens.

At times McEvoy admits his job is challenging, but it remains his passion.

"It certainly isn't for the money," he said. "I just knew that I was going to be a teacher. I knew when I was in Grade 10 that I was going to be an art teacher. I was always the kid who showed other people how to do it. So it's just a natural thing for me."

Meant to recognize the commitment and effort of teachers across the NWT, the annual campaign ran for the past few weeks encouraged students to nominate their favourite teachers by filling out a ballot explaining why. The association collected about 1,500 of them and then drew two winning teachers from Yellowknife and the rest of the NWT. One of the winners, who was picked last week, was from Fort Simpson and will get a free flight for two to Edmonton. The ballots will be sent back to schools for teachers to see.

McEvoy said he reads those ballots carefully as they help validate his work.

"You read them and it's reaffirmation that you're doing the right thing," he said. That and seeing his students on the path of enlightenment.

"When the light bulb goes on and they get it, that's so satisfying. When they make that leap of faith and they've gone beyond technique and into skill mastery, I love it when the kids make the connect."

Dave Reid, association president, said it's exactly this kind of passion the event tries to showcase.

"As teachers we don't do a very good job of promoting ourselves," he said. "You talk to a teacher and very seldom do they take credit for the things that are happening in their schools.

"It's just a way to recognize what teachers do and all the hard work they put into their jobs."