Riverview's best is also the nation's best
Published Friday June 13th, 2008
Ian Fogarty, a senior high science teacher at Riverview High, recently got top marks in the country for his teaching style
Each year thousands of teachers across Canada spend their time, resources, patience, and creativity educating Canadian children. Although there are many amazing teachers who deserve recognition, once a year 15 teachers across Canada are awarded for excellence in teaching. Riverview High's Ian Fogarty is one of the 2007/08 recipients.
The recipients of the Prime Minister's Award in Teaching Excellence represent Canadian teaching excellence in a wide range of subjects at all grade levels, from preschool through secondary school.
All are recognized as having developed innovative ways to teach, including groundbreaking uses of information and communication technologies, which enhance their teaching practices.
Ian has been teaching since 1997 and has been teaching Grade 11 and 12 Chemistry and Physics at Riverview High School for ten years.
"When the results came back I was informed that I would not only be receiving an award, but for whatever reason, based on their judging scale, I was the highest scoring recipient in the award's 15 year history," says Ian.
"I love teaching," he adds. "Going to work each day is exciting for me, and I count myself lucky to be able to say that. I love getting to work with the students who come into the class thinking they can't or won't do it, and then seeing them succeed.
"And I love it when students come back and tell me where they are, where they've been, and seeing how maybe something I did has impacted where they are going and who they've chosen to become," he explains.
Ian has brought practical life applications into his physics and chemistry classes.
"There has to be a balance between the fun, cool, and wonderful things we do and the text book readings and questions expected from a teacher," he says. "Some days in my class you'd walk in and it would be text books, other days it's a lecture, then there are the days when you won't find us at all."
"Those are the days we're flipping kayaks in the pool or measuring air temperatures in caves," he says with a laugh.
Some of his outstanding achievements based on the award scoring include undertaking a project with Mount Alison University involving the use of oxygen probes, his students placing first in the Aventis Biotechnology Regional Challenge, updating science laboratory procedures to include new technologies such as ProbeWare and computer interfacing, and his success in integrating information and communications technology, which has attracted considerable support in the form of business and government awards and grants.
Along with the award Ian received a $5000 grant to be used in his teaching efforts.
"It's an honor to receive this award, and it's amazing to get this money, but I'm really hoping to use this money in a bigger way," says Ian. Ian explains that he could put the money into a laptop or something of that sort, however, he'd rather see the money go further, for longer, and benefit more people.
"I'd love to be able to get supporters in on this idea and make it a reality," says Ian as he explains that he'd love to buy some property out by Cape Enrage and make it accessible to all New Brunswick students and teachers for research, outdoor activity, and various other resources.
"It's amazing to be looked at positively for just trying to do your job," he says. "What doesn't always get the press are all the people working equally as hard before me. They don't get to see the results right away. Because of a combination of people's efforts I've had the opportunity to reap the benefits."
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