Friday, October 7, 2011

Vancouver Sun article

In the Vancouver Sun, Thursday, there is an article about the B.C. Award winners.

Rideau Hall


We had a tour of Rideau Hall, the home of the Governor General, his excellency David Johnston. Here I am just before going in to the Hall. We were able to talk with the Governor General, who was a university president for 27 years and whose heart is still very firmly tied to education.

Dixon graduate


Just after the Awards Ceremony, I met Dennis Stoffer. He couldn't believe I was from Alfred B. Dixon Elementary - and kept saying that over and over again. He went to Dixon in the 1960s when he lived on Garry St. He is now an MP in Nova Scotia. Small world.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

PM Awards website


I am in awe of all of the teachers who are here in Ottawa with me. We are all saying the same thing. Teaching is the most important profession in the world. What wonderful teachers we have in Canada. You might want to visit the website of the Prime Minister's Awards to read the biographies of this year's recipients.
Go to http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/pmate-ppmee.nsf/eng/wz01822.html
Here is a photo of this year's recipients - teachers and early childhood educators.
A demain! ... Mme Marin

Thursday


This was an unbelievable, inoubliable day. Now I'm writing like someone from Ottawa - they speak French and English in the same sentence. I'm attaching my photo taken with our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. Today we were at the Aviation and Space Centre in the morning then at the Governor General's residence at Rideau Hall (where we met and chatted with David Johnston!) After that, a short walk to 24 Sussex Street for a reception hosted very graciously by Laureen Harper (Mrs. Stephen Harper!). We were able to talk 'education' with people who have the possibility of making changes and improvements. Mrs. Harper's 18 year old cat was on her favourite couch. Tomorrow is our last day here. The teachers have vowed to reunite to continue our important discussions.

Wednesday



Incroyable - three super parts to this day. In the morning we visited the Ottawa Inuit Child Centre - preschool Inuit children reconnecting with their cultures. In the afternoon, the PM Awards ceremony at the Museum of Nature, with a reception afterwards. Then, we walked to Quebec for dinner (but decided to cab back). Invited to Mrs. Harper's tomorrow afternoon.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Day 3

Sorry, no photo for today. No time or opportunity to take pictures. This morning, teachers brainstormed issues in teaching, strengths and attitudes, then shared with Early Childhood Educators in games and activities. In the afternoon, we walked to Parliament Hill and had our photos taken with Stephen Harper. Then lots of official photos outside parliament. I will have copies of those later. Mr. Harper was gracious and encouraging. It was memorable!
Tomorrow we visit an Inuit Children's Centre in Ottawa, then the Awards Ceremony in the afternoon. Prediction is sunny and 19º tomorrow.