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Prime Minister's awards recognize excellence in teaching

Often when I’m in Olds, I run into some of the many great teachers who taught me in my elementary and high school days.

Often when I’m in Olds, I run into some of the many great teachers who taught me in my elementary and high school days.

One teacher in particular who stood out for me in high school, and whom I often see as the emcee at community events I attend, is Tom Christensen.

Mr. C, as he is known to his students, taught me a lot. During one recent meeting he told me, “You know Blake, it’s hard getting used to introducing you as Mr. Richards now.” To which I responded, “I know what you mean Mr. C – I still can’t bring myself to call you Tom.”

The right teacher can leave a lasting impression on a person. When a talent to teach reaches a young mind that’s eager to learn, the result is an enduring respect on both sides of the teacher-student divide.

I am grateful for the many great teachers like Mr. Christensen that I’ve encountered along the way in life. They were the ones in many ways who supplied my potential with the tools it needed to realize its goals.

The contributions that good teachers make to our nation’s youth and their achievements are important to society and should be recognized.

Our government is doing just that. This month, Prime Minister Stephen Harper used the occasion of World Teachers’ Day on Oct. 5 to launch the nomination process for the 2010 Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence and for Excellence in Early Childhood Education.

Up to 90 Prime Minister’s Awards will be awarded to educators across Canada, with up to 65 Awards for Teaching Excellence and up to 25 Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education.

Nominations for both sets of awards close on Nov. 30. The Prime Minister’s Awards of Excellence will be presented at a ceremony in Ottawa next spring.

Visit pma.gc.ca for details on the awards and for information on how to make a nomination.

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