Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was an exciting visit to the House yesterday by the N.J. Macpherson Grade 5’s and I think we had a very successful Anti-Bullying Day in the House.
I’d like to remind everyone that next week is NWT Education Week. During the last 15 years, a very positive initiative has been run by the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Northern News Services and First Air. They have all partnered to run a teacher recognition program called Thank You for Making a Difference.
Every January through to mid-February, students and former students across the NWT have the opportunity to submit a nomination about an educator who has made a difference in their lives. Two names are drawn, and the teachers win an airplane pass and the nominating student wins a laptop computer.
The great thing about this initiative is that although only members of the NWTTA can win the trip, all educators who receive recognition from former students get a copy of the nomination. Every year nominations pour in for current and former teachers, and it’s tangible proof of the message in this statement: Research has proven over and over again that the single most important factor in a child’s success in school is a teacher who cares.
Over the last 14 years there have been more than 18,000 nominations submitted, all thanking an educator who’s made a difference to one of their students. Nominations have come from all ages of students, from a few words printed in smelly markers to long, heart-felt testimonies from former students struggling. In the first year of the program there were 26 submissions. This year there were 2,000.
I’d like to quote one example: “I like my teacher, because when I was in Grade 5 I was failing, but she said I don’t want to see you in summer school. I think you’re very smart. So I said, you’re right. I am smart. After that I changed.” An age 11 student.
The awards ceremony for the Thank You for Making a Difference campaign is next Friday here in the Great Hall, I believe.
Yesterday all Ordinary Members delivered statements dealing with the impact of bullying on our students in schools, our communities and our society. We know schools are doing their part to combat bullying and family violence, and we know that teachers can indeed make a difference.
I’d like to take this time and this opportunity to thank the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association, Northern News Services and First Air for this worthwhile initiative. Most of all, I’d like to thank all those teachers who every day make a difference in the lives of students across the NWT. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
