May 5, 2010: The Ontario Ministry of Education announced the recipients of the 2009-10 Premier’s Awards for Teaching Excellence and Sam Sherratt Public School Grade 4/5 teacher Michelle Jerzyk has been selected as New Teacher of the Year. She is one of three teachers in Ontario to receive this award. All certified elementary and secondary teachers with up to three years of teaching experience qualify for nomination.
The Premier’s Awards for Teaching Excellence recognize individuals and groups who work in schools for their contribution to student learning and achievement. The honours will be celebrated today, Wednesday, May 5, 2010, in Toronto at a ceremony at Ontario Place with Education Minister Leona Dombrowksy handing out the awards.
Recognized for her ability to reach all students, Jerzyk is the kind of teacher every teacher aspires to be – dedicated, energetic, compassionate and fun. From greeting each student with a personal “good morning” to encouraging students to participate in activities, Jerzyk is an inspirational force at Sam Sherrat Public School.
During her first year of teaching Jerzyk developed and delivered personalized programs and strategies to blend a class of 28 grade four students all with very unique learning needs. Each student was given tasks they could achieve, each student was involved with problem solving their own challenges and each student was considered in planning lessons and classroom seating arrangements.
Into her second full year of teaching, Jerzyk is known to spend as much extra time with a struggling student as it takes for the student to learn the lesson. Her devotion to her students was evident in the time she took to meet with the Special Education Team, parents and administrative staff to fully understand the learning needs of her students.
Sam Sheratt Public School principal Scott Pritchard said Jerzyk has a positive demeanour that is contagious.
“If you were to ask her why she is so positive all the time, she would say that teaching is more than just about what and how we teach, it’s our responsibility to develop positive relationships. In turn, that positive energy translates to positive actions,” Pritchard says, adding Jerzyk has also taken on an after-school literacy program.
“We are naturally delighted to have one of our outstanding staff recognized for their exemplary support of students,” says Wayne Joudrie, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. “For Michelle to be receiving this award in the first years of her teaching career is especially remarkable and an inspiration to everyone at the Halton District School Board.”
For more information contact:
Marnie Denton, Manager, Communications Services
Halton District School Board
(905) 335-3663, (905) 842-3014, (905) 878-8451