HDSB Teacher Christine Vanderwal An Honoree for the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence

By: Laura Steiner
Halton District School Board Teacher Christine Vaderwal makes her classrooms inclusive places where students feel heard.  Vanderwal is among the honorees for the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence.
“Christine embodies the Board’s values by ensuring her students by ensuring her students are learning in an environment dedicated to equity, collaboration and inclusion while focused on 21st century learning, HDSB Education Director Curtis Ennis said.
“This starts with an exploration of identity as individuals and as a community, with engaging discussions and activities that allow every learner to share their perspectives and ideas, as well as their personal uniqueness and culture,” her nomination said.  She uses animation, stop motion, and photography to engage students  and explore topics including Indigenous issues, and human rights.
Vanderwal is a resource teacher at Viola Desmond Public School in Milton this year.  She took time to thank colleagues for submitting the nomination package.  “I also want to thank the students who I have had the pleasure of learning alongside throughout my career.  It is from them that I have learned the most.  It is the privilege  to be an education, and my greatest joy is to work in a community alongside young people, empowering them to use their voices, uncover their gifts and explore their passions,” she said.  For more information, and to read the entire list visit the website