Education
February 23, 2010
Minister Congratulates Award-Winning
Teachers
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."
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!"
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Photo: Minister King presents Technology Champion Awards. Pictured (l-r) Wade Gillard, Christina Cox, Minister King, David Keefe and Thomas Sheppard.
Media contact:
Tara Power
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 727-5953
tarapower@gov.nl.ca
2010 02 23 9:25 a.m.
