Brian Walsh, a math teacher at Ecole Notre Dame High School, makes school cool in the eyes of his students.
Walsh was named as one of 19 teachers across Alberta to win a 2010 teacher award and was presented with it this past Friday.
The award, sponsored by the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta, came as a surprise to Walsh, who had no idea the presentation was taking place.
"It was a total surprise to me," Walsh joked after the ceremony. "That's probably why I was so eloquent in my speech."
The surprise took place during Notre Dame's annual sports award assembly and an emotional Walsh thanked his students and fellow staff members for everything they've done to help him throughout the years.
Walsh will receive a $2,000 cheque to be used in whatever way he sees fit to help promote science and math education at Notre Dame.
Students made recommendations for the award by writing in nominations for teachers who help "make school cool."
"Math class flies by when Mr. Walsh is teaching," wrote one student. "Because of Mr. Walsh I have been more successful in math."
"Mr. Walsh has been teaching for more than 20 years; you can tell he still loves to do it and wants to be there," wrote another student.
"APEGGA and its members recognize the vital role teachers play in sparking interest in science and math at a young age," said APEGGA President Kim Farwell.
"To encourage math and science teachers in shaping the intellectual and creative development of students, we increased the number of Teacher Awards recipients."
The APEGGA Teacher Awards program celebrates math and science teachers in elementary, junior and senior high schools for the excellence they demonstrate in shaping the intellectual and creative development of students and for their outstanding efforts to make school cool.
