CCTT
Minister Congratulates Award-Winning Teachers
Education
February 23, 2010
Four teachers from Newfoundland and Labrador have been named winners of the national Technology Champion Awards, chosen annually by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, met with the teachers this week as they received their awards from the Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists of Newfoundland and Labrador.
"It is a credit to our teachers that four of the seven awards available throughout Canada were received in our province," said Minister King. "Clearly, our teachers are doing extraordinary things in our schools to receive this accolade. I was pleased to meet with these teachers, their principals and families to offer congratulations on behalf of the Provincial Government."
Minister King presents Technology Champion Awards. Pictured (l-r) Wade Gillard, Christina Cox, Minister King, David Keefe and Thomas Sheppard.
The award-winning teachers are: Thomas Sheppard, a Grade 7 teacher at Frank Roberts Junior High, Conception Bay South; Christina Cox, a Grade 9 teacher at Brother Rice Junior High, St. John’s; Wade Gillard, a Grade 12 teacher at Booth Memorial High, St. John’s; and David Keefe, a Grade 12 teacher at Ascension Collegiate, Bay Roberts.
The awards are presented annually to teachers in Grades 7-12 who have been nominated by students for outstanding efforts in encouraging and promoting interest in technology studies.
"These teachers, and hundreds of others like them, are successfully integrating technology into their classrooms, recognizing the potential for technology to improve the students’ learning experience," said Minister King. "This is something that is fully supported by the Provincial Government. We have made significant investments in technology education and skilled trades, and we have provided considerable professional learning opportunities to teachers delivering these programs. We want to ensure students have the technical skills they need to thrive in emerging industries."
Minister King highlighted several initiatives implemented in recent years that are helping bring technology into classrooms throughout Newfoundland and Labrador:
- $1.5 million was allocated over a three-year period for a technology integration plan;
- $2.2 million was provided in 2008-09 for the replenishment of 2,400 computer systems in the provincial K-12 system;
- $1 million is provided annually for up-to-date licensing of computer software for school boards;
- $1 million is provided annually for 20 information technology support specialists for school districts;
- A new Grade 9 energy and power technology module was introduced in September, 2009; and,
- With an investment of $13 million, the Futures in Skilled Trades and Technology high school program is in year three of implementation.
"With these types of investments, and award-winning teachers in our schools, we are working to create a technologically literate society – one that will help our economy grow and prosper," said Minister King. "I commend these teachers for their dedication to their students and to innovative instruction. And to the students who had the wisdom to recommend them for this prestigious award, I say well done!"
Media contact:
Tara Power
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 727-5953
tarapower@gov.nl.ca
