Victoria Terrace PS teacher wins environmental leadership award
MEDIA RELEASE
June 22, 2015
GUELPH, Ontario – The 2015 recipient of the Mike Elrick Environmental Leadership Award is Patsy Collier, a teacher at Victoria Terrace Public School in Fergus.
This the sixth year the Upper Grand District School Board has honoured the memory of the late Mike Elrick with an award for staff or volunteers who have demonstrated environmental leadership within their school community or our school board.
“Patsy embodies environmental stewardship in everything she does, and is a quiet but powerful influence who leads by example and inspires others to follow,” said Karen Acton, Environmental Sustainability Lead for Upper Grand. “She has worked tirelessly for many years towards creating a school that promotes environmental sustainability and stewardship.”
Those efforts were recognized this year as Victoria Terrace PS became the first elementary school in the board to earn a Platinum seal from Ontario EcoSchools, an environmental education and certification program for grades K-12.
The Platinum status follows years of tireless leadership by Patsy, who guided Victoria Terrace PS to become the first school in the board to earn EcoSchool certification in 2009. Today we have 33 certified EcoSchools.
Patsy has worked hard to encourage students to become environmental leaders. The membership of the EcoTeam has climbed to over 50 this year. Perseverance and resiliency were clearly demonstrated in the efforts of this year’s EcoTeam as they strove towards their goals with the support of staff, parents and the community.
“We are all very proud of this exemplary achievement,” said Acton.
But Victoria Terrace PS isn’t done yet. With the support of the School Council and fundraising efforts this year, the school community is looking forward to increasing the outdoor learning spaces with an outdoor classroom and naturalized kindergarten yard.
In choosing Patsy Collier, the award committee had a difficult decision to make with a record 21 nominations. The committee congratulated all of nominees for the amazing work they do in our schools, and thanked all of those who took the time to submit nominations.
2015 Nominees
- Anna Mark, teacher, Victoria Terrace PS
- Chris vanBeurden, teacher, Guelph CVI
- Christine Drumm, teacher, John Galt PS
- Connie Bender, teacher and Curriculum Leader
- Cory Lipovschek, teacher, Centennial CVI
- Dana Zevenbergen, teacher, Ken Danby PS
- Jennifer Pelvin, teacher, Gateway Drive PS
- Jenny McGregor, teacher, John F. Ross CVI
- John Scot, teacher, Elora PS
- Jurgen Rodrigues, teacher, John Galt PS
- Kelly Doerr, teacher, Kenilworth PS
- Liz Hazlett, teacher, Mitchell Woods PS
- Kathryn Mayo, teacher, Elora PS
- Lynnette Knapp, teacher, Brisbane PS
- Mary Johnston, teacher, CWDHS
- Michael Hendrick, teacher, Norwell DSS
- Rebecca Mottin, teacher, John Galt PS
- Susan Dodds, teacher, JD Hogarth PS
- The Eco Moms – Shelagh McNulty, Nicole Hambleton, Kelly French, Jennifer Payne, Debbie Wasson, Megan Taylor, volunteers, Primrose PS
- Yvette Tendick, teacher, Edward Johnson PS
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For more information:
Maggie McFadzen, Communications Officer
519-822-4420 ext. 725
[email protected]
Mark Weidmark, Administrative Officer – Communications
519-822-4420 ext. 544
[email protected]
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