Most teachers want their students to be excellent. But what does that mean? Unfortunately, many teachers and schools today have a limited understanding of “excellence” as academic performance. In 2016, Cardus Education launched the John Rozema Teaching Excellence Award to discover and celebrate excellent educators within the Ontario Christian school system. Beyond academic performance, excellence includes nurturing student character, engaging the local community, and improving school culture.
Back in September, Convivium sat down with Dr. Beth Green, Program Director of Cardus Education as students were preparing to head back to school. Even then, she was reflecting on the standards of excellence that the Rozema Awards amplify. She noted, “You can’t win one of these awards unless you can show that your teaching demonstrates a clear educational purpose, exhibits academic rigor and serves the wider community.”
This Wednesday, over 120 honoured guests and nominees gathered at the Rock Garden of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, Ontario for the third annual John Rozema Teacher Excellence Awards, presented in partnership with the Christian School Foundation.
$28,000 was presented over the course of the evening to be used for educator’s professional development. This is the largest amount ever distributed to winners of the Rozema Awards.
Convivium is proud to share videos created to learn more about the invaluable work of last night’s winners and nominees.
Excellence in Elementary School Teaching Award
Cara Barwell, Timothy Christian School
Excellence in Secondary School Teaching Award
Corrina Cameron, London Christian High School
Excellence in Global Perspective Award
Laurie Koning, Hamilton’s Guido de Brès High School
Excellence in the Teaching of Creative and Performing Arts Award
Jonathan De Vries, Hamilton District Christian High School
Group Excellence Award
Richard Van Egmond and Jared Patus, Hamilton District Christian High School
Be sure to check out the invaluable contributions of all those educators nominated in the above categories.
Excellence in Elementary School Teaching Award
Audrey McGregor, Trinity Christian School, Burlington
Excellence in Secondary School Teaching Award
Leon Hordyk, Hamilton District Christian High School
Matt Rock, London District Christian High School
Excellence in Global Perspective Award
Andrew Wilcox, Nicole Strikwerda, Timothy Christian School, Barrie
Rachael Weening, Toronto District Christian High School
Excellence in the Teaching of Creative and Performing Arts Award
Nicole Strikwerda, Timothy Christian School, Barrie
Alison Young, Northumberland Christian School
“Independent Christian schools deserve recognition for their commitment to excellence in teaching, which is why the Rozema Awards exist,” said Dr. Beth Green, Cardus Education program director. “The caliber of this year’s winners and shortlisted entries shows that all Christian schools are a vital part of Ontario’s education system.”
As we celebrate this year’s winners, we are already anticipating what treasured educators we might discover next!
Earlier this year, Dr. Beth Green asked vetern educators Diane Stronks and Elco Vandergrift about the difference Christian love can make in the world’s classroom. Return to this moving interview today!
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