HAY RIVER - Teachers in the NWT received a big thank-you last week – many hundreds of them, in fact.

David Reid, president of the NWT Teachers' Association, and First Air representative Kandee Froese draw for prizes for students and teachers at the 'Thank You for Making a Difference' event in Hay River on Feb. 26. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

The appreciation was accepted by the NWT Teachers' Association (NWTTA) at its 13th annual 'Thank You for Making a Difference' gathering in Hay River on Feb. 26.

'Thank You for Making a Difference' is an initiative by the teachers' association in which all kindergarten to Grade 12 students are invited to thank teachers who have made a difference in their lives.

"It's an important thing for us," said David Reid, the president of the NWTTA, adding teachers often shy away from the limelight and just go about their business of helping students.

Reid said that this year there were more than 1,800 submissions from all over the NWT.

That brings the total for the 13 years of 'Thank You for Making a Difference' to more than 15,800, some of them written by parents for younger children.

"The important thing is parents and teachers are recognizing the good things teachers are doing," Reid said.

Coun. Reiss Kruger of the Town of Hay River thanked his teachers and said he can attest to their energy and dedication.

This is the first year the event has been held in Hay River and hosted by the NWTTA's South Slave regional executive.

Gayla Meredith, co-ordinator of member services with the NWTTA, launched 'Thank You for Making a Difference' 13 years ago, at a time when she felt there needed to be a more positive light shone on the teaching profession.

Her goal was to have people stop for a moment and think of the positive aspects of teachers and education.

"Teachers are teaching because they care," she said.

The submissions were accepted at NWT schools between Jan. 18 and Feb. 12.

Each submission gave students a chance to win one of two laptop computers and the teachers they wrote about the chance to win one of two trips for two to Edmonton on First Air. The prizes were divided between Yellowknife and other NWT communities. Ashley Peddle, 10, of Range Lake North School in Yellowknife won a laptop, while teacher Andrew Austin won the trip to Edmonton.

For other NWT communities, the laptop winner was 11-year-old Melissa Pascuamatte of Bompas Elementary School in Fort Simpson, while teacher Bernice Gargan won the trip.

Each year after the draws, the teachers receive the original messages sent in by students.

Excerpts from past submissions can be viewed on the NWTTA website.

'Thank You for Making a Difference' is presented by the teachers' association in partnership with First Air, Northern News Services Ltd., and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.