The 2020-2022 cohort of teacher candidates arrived in the Trent School of Education in a way that most never could have anticipated – virtually. Amidst the pandemic, these aspiring educators (like those throughout the sector) would be required to re-think what teaching is and could be. Throughout the challenges faced, a positive mindset was quickly realized: we will all be better educators and human beings for having learned to teach through the height of a pandemic.  

Shaping a capacity to learn
“To sit back and reflect on the past two years in the School of Education, two words come to mind: vulnerability and compassion. We shared more about our personal lives than ever before - homes, bedrooms, pets, even our style of headphones in a Zoom call. This is what built our skills of compassion towards our students”, says Kevin Pattison, Bachelor of Education graduate and School of Education teaching award recipient. “Our resilience is stronger than ever before and continues to be shaped and molded like our capacity to learn. The School of Education has provided me a wonderful opportunity to find myself as a teacher.” 

For most teacher candidates and faculty, having to move to remote teaching and learning was a new experience, especially challenging in the highly hands-on, collaborative and experiential-based Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) program.  

“Our instructors, teacher candidates, staff and school board partners had to work extremely hard together to make the experience for all involved meaningful and engaging”, says Dr. Claire Mooney, dean of Education at Trent. “Though the challenges were varied for everyone, we truly believe that our new teachers will be better equipped to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of education, whilst also having a better understanding of how to take care of themselves and their students, from a well-being perspective.”  

Celebrating teaching excellence

To culminate the achievements of students, the School of Education held a virtual celebration to honour this year’s teaching recipients and recognize the challenges faced together over the past two years of the program.  

Closing out the ceremony B.Ed. chair and instructor, Denise Handlarski, offered words of encouragement and reflection.  

“Coming together one final time, as most students had wrapped their final placement, was extremely valuable to closing what was a very impactful year, both personally and professionally, for all of us. We are so proud of what our students accomplished and know they will be highly successful in the years to come as they enter the profession.”   

The Trent School of Education would like to congratulate all of this year’s teaching award recipients and their continued contributions to the field.  

2022 Award Recipients

Teacher candidate awards: 

Primary/Junior Innovation in Teaching Award – Haley De Turse  

Intermediate/Senior Innovation in Teaching Award – Jack Griffen  

Responding to Diversity Award – Amiel Tilos Buning  

Education Student Association Award – Kevin Pattison 

Education Student Association Award – Aline Madian  

OECTA Award – Amanda Roy  

Intermediate/Senior Mathematics Award – Theo Simantirakis  

Primary/Junior Mathematics Award – Isabella Cardoso  

French Award – Ryan Brown  

Faculty teaching award: 

Teaching Excellence Award – Mitch Champagne  

Teaching Excellence Award – Reg Hartwick