Canadian teachers honoured at worldwide Innovative Education Forum in Brazil
Microsoft award given to teachers who use technology in innovative ways to improve student learning
Mississauga, ON - November 9, 2009 - Twelve Canadians were among more than 250 teachers from around the world honoured last week at Microsoft's Worldwide Innovative Education Forum in Salvador, Brazil. The teachers were recognized for their work integrating technology into the classroom to prepare students for tomorrow's workforce and for a lifetime of learning.
The Innovative Education Forum is part of Microsoft's Partners in Learning Program. Each year, thousands of teachers from around the world participate in country-level and regional competitions. After each competition, winners move to the next level, culminating each year at the global summit.
This year, 15 Canadian teachers from across the country were named Innovative Teachers. The teachers were challenged to use technology to develop innovative projects that will improve students' 21st-century skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration, communication, contextual learning, creativity, and information and media literacy.
The Canadian teachers honoured in Brazil are:
--Susan Callfas, St. Mary's Elementary School, Lloydminster, Alberta
--George Daley, Bathurst Learning Center, Bathurst, New Brunswick
--Jen Deyenberg, Dorothy Dalgiesh School, Picture Butte, Alberta
--Geneviève Doucet, Carrefour de l'Acadie, Dieppe, New Brunswick
--Cline Gideon, Sugarloaf Senior High School, Campbellton, New Brunswick
--Carrie Granberg, Alf Cuthbert School, Moosehorn, Manitoba
--Jodi Hafenbrak, Balmoral Hall School, Winnipeg, Manitoba
--Darlene Hubber, Coalhurst Elementary School, Coalhurst Alberta
--Jane Smith, South March Public School, Kanata, Ontario
--Nathan Toft, A. Lorne Cassidy Elementary School, Stittsville, Ontario
--Leanne Tretiak, Queen Mary Community School, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
--Lorie Zbaraschuk, Meath Park School, Meath Park, Saskatchewan
Doug Pharis and Jeff Bryant of Coalhurst Elementary School and Shelley Davis-Forman of Arrowwood School in Arrowwood, Alberta were also named Canadian Innovative teachers but did not attend the trip to Brazil.
Quotes:
Jacinthe Robichaud
"Innovative teachers creatively and effectively use technology in their curriculum to help improve the way students learn," said Jacinthe Robichaud, Manager, Partners in Learning, Microsoft Canada. "The Innovative Education Forum gives leading Canadian educators the opportunity to collaborate with their peers from around the world to understand best practices in 21st Century teaching and learning."
Jane Smith, South March Public School, Kanata, Ontario
"My colleague Nathan and I really appreciate this once in a lifetime opportunity," said Innovative Teacher Jane Smith. "To be able to share ideas with people from around the world, in person, is a very rare thing for educators. We tend to spend our time in our classrooms. Occasionally we collaborate with teachers in other schools through email, blogs, podcasts or through online meetings but we rarely get the chance to meet face-to-face. It's an experience we will never forget."
Jen Deyenberg, Dorothy Dalgiesh School, Picture Butte, Alberta
"Thanks to Microsoft for such a fantastic chance to present our projects, network and build connections with innovative teachers from around the planet," said Jen Deyenberg, Canadian Innovative Teacher. "I had the opportunity to collaborate and build global projects to enhance the learning of our students. I was inspired by amazing teachers from all over the world. I missed my students but Skyped and blogged to help them better understand how technology can keep people connected even across continents."
George Daley, Bathurst Learning Center, Bathurst, New Brunswick
"I was honoured to attend this conference and share my students' work with other technology-focused educators," said George Daley, Canadian Innovative Teacher. "My involvement with this program has reinforced my belief that technology can increase student engagement while in school and help them prepare for life outside the classroom."
Fast Facts: Partners in Learning and the Innovative Education Forum
--Number of Participating Countries: 112
--Teachers/School Officials Trained since 2003: 6,801,108
--Schools participating in the Innovative Schools Program: 1,300
--Pathfinder Schools: 30 (one Canadian school is St- André School in New Brunswick)
--Mentor Schools: 12
--Students Reached (via Student Helpdesk, curricula): 168,006,476
--More than 250 teachers from over 60 countries attended the Innovative Education Forum
--12 winners were announced at the conference
--Thousands of teachers participate in regional and country level events to become part of the program
About Partners in Learning
The Worldwide Innovative Education Forum is hosted by Microsoft Partners in Learning, a 10-year, nearly $500 million commitment by Microsoft to transform education systems around the world. Announced in 2003, Partners in Learning helps schools and teachers more effectively use technology to advance teaching and learning, provides leadership and change management information to school leaders, works to strengthen teachers' capacity to use technology effectively in the classroom, and provides greater access to technology for teachers and students.
About Microsoft Education
We believe that technology can expand the power of education and unlock the potential of students, educators and schools. Microsoft partners with education communities around the world to deliver relevant solutions, services and programs that focus on improved personalized learning outcomes.
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has nine regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. For more information on Microsoft Canada, please visit www.microsoft.ca. For more information on Microsoft Canada's citizenship initiatives, please visit www.citizenship.microsoft.ca.
For more information and to speak with Canada's Innovative Teachers please contact:
Meg Sinclair, Media Profile
(416) 504-8464 x244
Meg.Sinclair@mediaprofile.com
