Student Awards Reception celebrates Excellence in Education
On Thursday, October 16th the Faculty of Education celebrated the achievements of its alumni and graduates at the second annual Student Awards Reception. Over 70 guests were in attendance to congratulate and acknowledge 7 graduates who exemplified excellence in education. In his opening remarks, York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri described York alumni as having “exemplified excellence in education through their actions.” He emphasized “the university’s role in properly preparing graduates to make an impact in an ever-changing world could be seen in the actions of York alumni around the globe.”
The main award of the evening was the Faculty of Education Alumni Association Excellence in Teaching Award. Now in its tenth year, the award which is sponsored by Manulife Financial and administered by the York Alumni Office recognizes a graduate from the Faculty of Education whose distinctive work has had a significant influence within the educational community. The winner of this year’s award, Kelly Smith (BEd concurrent 1993) was selected from the over 30 nomination packages that the Awards Committee received. Mr. Smith, a teacher with the Peel District School Board was credited by his colleagues for his ability to see the potential in every student and to help them realize that potential through the many creative activities and programs that he has implemented which include story-telling workshops and anti-racism video production.
Alice Pitt, Dean of the Faculty of Education, said “Kelly’s nomination stood out and the committee was unanimous in its decision. We were impressed by his reach: he brings joy and discipline of creative writing to his students with whom he founded a web-site (web-stories.net) described as Canada’s largest teen writing web-site. The consummate advocate for the underdog, Kelly goes above and beyond in his mentorship of his students and of the athletes he coaches.”
Along with Mr. Smith, the following 2007/2008 convocation award winners were also recognized at this year’s event:
- Doctoral Entrance Scholarship: Sandra Styres
- OSSTF Robert M. Brooks Award: Sara Drudi
- OECTA Award: Carmela Beninato & Melissa Humenny
- Patricia Harvey Memorial Scholarship: Donna-Marie Hamilton
- Retired Women Teachers of Ontario, York North Branch Award: Melanie Freedman
- Cornerstone Leadership in Action Awards: Palav Shah & Joseph Romano
Many of the donors for the 2007/2008 Awards were in attendance and were formally thanked by the Faculty for their ongoing support. Lyn Hitsman (President of the Retired Women Teachers’ of Ontario), Stephanie and Winston Ling (Cornerstone Leadership in Action Awards), and Adam Gordon and Murray Parks (Great West Life) were all present and were able to meet and converse with the students who won their respective awards.
The event also celebrated the publication of Emergent Curriculum in the Primary Classroom: Interpreting the Reggio Emilia Approach to Schools edited by Professor Carol Anne Wien with contributions by several Faculty of Education graduate students. The book explores elementary school educators’ efforts to integrate the Reggio Emilia philosophy with standard curriculum in Canada’s diverse urban communities.
Developed in preschools in its namesake northern Italian town over several decades, the Reggio Emilia approach recognizes children as resourceful and capable, and places the community and local culture at the centre of democratic, participatory learning.
Pitt notes that “when we recognize professional and scholarly achievements of our faculty and alumni at the same event, we are reminded that the university plays a key role in all facets of educational life and has a responsibility to deepen our collective understanding of their points of intersection.”