2011 Winning Teachers

September 29, 2011

On September 29, three Ontario teachers received the OTIP Teaching Award for excellence at Enoch Turner School in Toronto.

The Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) sponsors these awards which are administered by the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF). This is the eighth year for the awards.

The following educators received the OTIP Teaching Award:

2011 Winning Teachers

September 29, 2011

On September 29, three Ontario teachers received the OTIP Teaching Award for excellence at Enoch Turner School in Toronto.

The Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) sponsors these awards which are administered by the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF). This is the eighth year for the awards.

The following educators received the OTIP Teaching Award:

Beginning Teacher Category

Anna Farago

Weston Collegiate Institute, Toronto

One category in the OTIP Teaching Awards is reserved for teachers in their first five years of practice. All of the promise of our newest teachers was found in this year’s honouree, Anna Farago.

Anna is an English teacher at Weston Collegiate in Toronto. The fact that she was nominated by students and this nomination was supported by staff indicates her excellence as a teacher. Anna goes beyond the classroom and connects with students on a personal level and motivates them to success. Anna runs the school newspaper, girls’ fitness program, yoga, helped start the breakfast program and, perhaps her greatest achievement, runs the W2W (Weston to the World) studio.

The W2W studio allows students to use recording equipment at lunch and after school. Through their productions, they have publicized themselves and Weston Collegiate to the world.

Elementary Teacher Category

Brian Robertson

Land O’ Lakes Public School, Mountain Grove

Brian Robertson, Land O’ Lakes Public School, received the OTIP Teaching Award in the elementary category. Dramatic arts and music – these talents are a part of Brian’s daily lessons. For example, he often teaches French with his guitar in hand. He brings life to learning through hands-on experience. In social studies he teaches what the little town of Mountain Grove once was – by taking students on a walking tour and points out the various landmarks. Brian always finds ways to include students in whatever activity he is running. He will rewrite a play to include a student with autism, create separate courses for runners who can’t compete in longer races, or find important roles for students at events which suit their needs.

Secondary Teacher Category

Alison Mann

Parkdale Collegiate Institute, Toronto

Alison Mann, the recipient of the OTIP Teaching Award at the secondary level, is a teacher of media arts at Parkdale Collegiate. However, Alison goes beyond just teaching in the areas of film studies and media arts and makes these areas relevant to her students in their daily lives. She strives to bring social consciousness to the forefront in their thinking. Alison uses the latest technology to promote issues such as equity, antiracism, environmental, women’s rights, mental health and immigration. Her constant search for new ideas not only improves student learning but also develops a desire for lifelong learning.

Alison has added a community focus to her work with her students. To this end, she has worked to make Parkdale Collegiate a hub for the community.