Eight grads win prime minister’s teaching awards

Graduates of UVic’s faculties of education and fine arts are a major presence in this year’s Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence.

Two of the 19 national certificates of excellence and five of the 53 local certificates of achievement go to UVic grads. Two UVic grads share one of the certificates of achievement.

UVic grads receiving the certificate of excellence are: Bradley Talbot, MEd ’83, who teaches Grades 10–12 science, environmental science, biology, chemistry, and career preparation at Rutland Senior Secondary in Kelowna; and Lee Curtis, MEd (counselling) ’93, who teaches Grades 8 and 9 math, English, science, physical education, social science, keyboarding, art, and career preparation at the Langford Alternative Education Program in Langford.

UVic grads receiving the certificate of achievement are: Stephen Cox, DipEd ’76, who teaches Grades 11 and 12 math and calculus at Shawnigan Lake School; Dan Craven, BMus ’94, and Dave Stewart, BEd ’80, MEd ’86 (music education), who teach Grades 9–12 music at Kwalikum Secondary in Qualicum Beach; David Flello, MMus ’88, who teaches Grades 8-12 music and outdoor education at Esquimalt Community School; Rebecca Rogers, BEd ’87, who teaches Grade 1 at Shannon Lake Elementary in Kelowna; and Lesley Sisler, MA (curriculum studies) ’83, who teaches Grades 10–12 French, women’s studies and world issues at the University of Winnipeg.