Call for Submissions

The 2nd Annual Edward Burtynsky Award for Teaching Excellence in Environmental Education was established by The Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of ChildStudy Laboratory School. This Award was made possible by the Norman and Marian Robertson Charitable Foundation, the generosity of anonymous donors, andworld-renowned Environmentalist and Photographic Artist, Edward Burtynsky.

This Award was created in order to recognize and celebrate outstanding elementary school teachers in the province of Ontario who, through their exemplary teaching methods, create learning opportunities that inspire students to become environmentally conscious, responsible world citizens who take sustainable action that protects and restores the environment, thereby creating hope for future generations.

The first-prize winner will receive $500 towards Environmental Education related professional development opportunities and a signed Edward Burtynsky print.  In addition, the first-prize winner will receive $1000 for his or her school towards funding Environmental Education learning experiences for students. Two runners-up will each receive $250 toward Environmental Education related professional development opportunities and a book signed by Edward Burtynsky, as well as a signed book for each of their respective school libraries.

We invite elementary school teachers across Ontario who are worthy of recognition to submit an application. We also ask all Ontarians to look to their school communities for teachers whose commendable practices in Environmental Education make them excellent candidates for this Award. Both self-submissions and third-party nominations are encouraged. Please read the official Submission Guidelines, Submission Rationale, and Submission Form to find out how to apply.

Click here for the full application.

Thank you for caring for our environment.

2011 Grand Prize Winner

Monique Menard: Agnew H. Johnston Elementary School - Thunder Bay

Monique is a true champion of Environmental Education, and has worked tirelessly to establish and promote an eco-friendly culture within her school community - part of the Lakehead District School Board. Monique felt the need to connect students, their parents, and the broader community to a sustainable environmental project that would expose everyone to experiential learning. This community project was fulfilled through the building, growing and maintaining of a school garden that became a community undertaking. Every year, Monique uses the garden as a focal point to encourage inquiry-based learning from her Grade 5/6 class. They integrated the garden into their studies of math, science, and health.

Ms. Menard’s class actively participates in many garden initiatives in the community, including preparing and cooking fresh rhubarb cake (made with rhubarb from the garden) for the school’s family picnic. Monique inspires to develop in her students a deep understanding of food and food productions systems. On top of introducing her students to cooking with locally grown food, she also gave them the opportunity to explore local businesses and food production when she took them to a local flour mill and egg farm to obtain the ingredients they would need for their recipe.

Monique is a member of the Parent Garden/Nutrition Committee and the Breakfast Club, where she is instrumental in implementing and delivering the Hot Lunch Program. The program focuses on providing hot lunches made up of locally grown, nutritious food to students every six weeks. Through her efforts, Monique encourages students to become engaged and actively involved members of their school and greater community. Monique strives to ensure that student learning is not confined to the walls of the classroom, but rather takes place outside in the natural world.

2011 Burtynsky Award Runners Up

Gail Blackman: Ross Doan Public School - Thornhill

Gail Blackman is an inspirational Teacher and Librarian in the York Region District School Board. Her passions for Environmental Education is apparent, as she has applied for, and received, countless grants to support her schools environmental education needs. She was a key player in encouraging student involvement in helping design and create an outdoor classroom. Students were actively involved in all aspects of the project. They considered multiple design elements such as shade options, ground cover, and seating arrangement to make the classroom conducive to learning. The students specifically looked at how to make the outdoor classroom accessible for all students. Gail supports learning in the natural environment by supplying teachers with the materials they need to make teaching outside fun and easy! She is a fundamental part of promoting environmental initiatives in her school and is constantly generating enthusiasm in students and teachers to improve their own community and to participate in national and international efforts to improve the world we live in.
 

Jeanette McLellan: James Robinson Public School - Markham

Jeanette understands the importance of Environmental Education and has been working with students in her school, and other members of the York Region District School Board, to spread an environmentally conscious message to everyone. One of her main goals is to inspire students, through experiential learning and stewardship opportunities, to become responsible, environmentally conscious world citizens. Jeanette empowers students to make good environmental choices by supplying them with opportunities to participate in recycling and composting initiatives within the school and facilitates programs to lead and support the school’s Zero Waste Initiative. Her determined efforts helped to facilitate the purchase of an OKIE machine for the school, which turns food scraps into compost overnight. With student help, Jeanette is planning to grow a sensor and herb garden with the compost they create.