A teacher at Northeastern Secondary School has been awarded the Prime MinisterÂ?s Award for Teaching Excellence certificate of achievement.
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Pat Binnersley was recognized for her dedication to students. She has spent 28 years in the classroom and is still thrilled to help young people learn.
Â?I like seeing the light bulb come on when a student gets something IÂ?m teaching,Â? said Binnersley.
Â?I enjoy the changes in education with different students and the new curriculum. ItÂ?s exciting.Â?
She added that coaching sports has given her a greater perspective on students.
Â?You get to see the kids outside the classroom,Â? said Binnersley. Â?TheyÂ?re different people outside of class.Â?
As a coach of senior girls basketball, her students have enjoyed many successes.
Binnersley helped increase the skill level of several Grade 9 students having difficulty in reading and writing by placing them in their own class to better cater to their specific needs.
The teacher was a program leader of literacy at Northeastern. With the high school in Garson set to close at the end of the month Binnersly will be transferred to Sudbury Secondary in September.
Â?Pat Binnersley is a teacher who best equips her students to meet the challenges of our changing society and knowledge based economy,Â? said Northeastern principal Anna Barsanti.
A Grade 10 student said he can see why his teacher has been given the Prime MinisterÂ?s Award.
Â?She has us participate in all lessons,Â? said Ed Gauthier. Â?She keeps us interested in every class.Â?
The teacher was chosen for the award from 208 nominations. In addition to the recognition a cash prize of $1,000 will be used to enhance literary skills of exceptional students.
The federal awards program was created to honour the achievements of gifted educators who instill in their students the love of learning and who inspire them to make the most of their lives.
Â?Thank you for the contribution that you have made to CanadaÂ?s future,Â? said Prime Minister Chretien in a letter to Binnersley.
Chair of the Rainbow District School Board, Doreen Dewar, also congratulated Binnersley on her exemplary teaching and commitment to students.
