Ottawa, ON – Thursday May 21, 2009 – The Capital Educators’ Awards were presented to 20 of the region’s most innovative and respected educators this evening at the eighth annual EduGala, held at Algonquin College.
Hosted by OCRI, Ottawa’s lead economic development agency, the gala event honoured the talented and dedicated professionals who have demonstrated teaching excellence, acted as role models, and instilled confidence and a passion for learning in their students. The awards were created in 2001 by a group of business and education leaders who wanted to raise the profile of public education and recognize and celebrate the dedication and achievements of Ottawa’s local educators.
“Ottawa is renowned for its innovation and entrepreneurial spirit but without caring and compassionate educators, like those we honour here tonight, Ottawa would be a very different place,” said Claude Haw, President and CEO, OCRI. “From kindergarten through to PhD, the impact teachers have on their students influences the manner in which they approach challenges and opportunities throughout their lives. By using innovative new techniques that engage and challenge, teachers help build a student’s confidence, increase their ability to learn and improve the level of talent locally.”
Nominations for the awards were open to educators employed by the four publicly-funded school boards, two colleges and four universities located within the City of Ottawa. More than 300 educators were nominated by current and former students, parents and professional colleagues. A panel of judges representing business, education and community-based organizations reviewed the 66 finalists and selected the 20 award recipients.
“This event is a wonderful opportunity to showcase some of the region’s most committed and creative educators. We are so fortunate to be part of a community that recognizes the dedicated and caring people who do their best every day to help improve the lives of their students.” adds Dr. Lyall Thomson, Director of Education, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. “Each of the nominees brings excellence and compassion into every classroom and without a doubt sets the stage for our students’ success.”
“We are very proud of the professors from La Cité collégiale who are nominated for a Capital Educators’ Award and extend congratulations to all recipients,” says Andrée Lortie, President, La Cité collégiale. “These professors exemplify the core values of the college. Their hard work and dedication to student success helps to ensure that Ottawa remains a leader in post-secondary education.”
Award recipients at the 2009 EduGala are:
- Chantal Bertrand – Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario – Centre d’éducation et de formation de l’Est ontarien – Campus Hawkesbury
- Michelle DeVidi – Carleton University – Department of Law
- Mike Fingland – Ottawa-Carleton District School Board – Adult High School
- Michael Froeschl – University of Ottawa – Faculty of Medicine
- Mike Gillissie – Algonquin College – Industrial Hygiene, Legislation and Ergonomics; Occupational Safety and Health Program
- Stéphane Grégoire et Yvan Nolet – Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario – École élémentaire publique Gabrielle-Roy
- Suzanne Korell – Ottawa Catholic School Board – Frank Ryan Catholic Senior Elementary School
- Arthur Landry – Conseil des écoles catholiques de langue française du Centre-Est – Académie catholique Ange-Gabriel
- Matteo Legrenzi – University of Ottawa – Faculty of Social Sciences
- Gilles Maisonneuve – Conseil des écoles catholiques de langue française du Centre-Est – École élémentaire catholique Le Petit Prince
- Yvan Mathieu – Saint Paul University – Faculty of Theology
- Wanda McLaughlin – Ottawa Catholic School Board – St. Monica School
- William Morton – Ottawa-Carleton District School Board – John Young Elementary School
- Isaac Otchere – Carleton University – Sprott School of Business
- Danielle Paris – La Cité collégiale – Programme, Techniques de réadaptation et de justice pénale
- Edmund Poulsen – Ottawa-Carleton District School Board – Ottawa Technical Learning Centre
- Paul Saurette – University of Ottawa – School of Political Studies
- Rola Tibshirani – Ottawa Catholic School Board – Pope John XXIII School
- David Wood – Carleton University – School of Linguistics and Language Studies
- Lori Zuccato – Ottawa-Carleton District School Board – Norman Johnston Secondary Alternate Program
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About OCRI:
Leading the way for Ottawa, OCRI is the city’s economic development agency. OCRI is the rallying point to bring business, education, research and talent together to create the winning economic conditions that allow Ottawa’s knowledge-based companies to thrive locally and compete globally. At OCRI we promote sustainable economic development to maintain our high quality of life. For more information on OCRI visit our website at www.ocri.ca and for more information on the Ottawa Region please visit www.ottawaregion.com.
For information contact:
Kim Cunningham
Manager, External Communications
OCRI
Office: (613) 828-6274 ext. 256
Cell: (613) 851-0768
kcunningham@ocri.ca
