In a celebration of educational excellence that resonates far beyond classroom walls, two Winnipeg teachers have been recognized with prestigious provincial awards, highlighting their exceptional commitment to transforming student lives through innovative teaching practices.
Lindsay Brown from École Assiniboine and Andrea Stuart from John Taylor Collegiate received the 2024 Manitoba Excellence in Teaching Awards during a ceremony that brought together educators, administrators, and government officials at the Manitoba Legislative Building last week.
“These educators represent the very best of our profession,” said Education Minister Wayne Ewasko during the presentation. “Their dedication to creating inclusive learning environments where students can thrive academically and personally demonstrates the profound impact teachers have on shaping our future generations.”
Brown, who has taught for 15 years, was honored for her groundbreaking approach to language immersion education. Her classroom integration of Indigenous perspectives into French language instruction has created a unique cross-cultural learning experience that students describe as transformative. Her development of a community garden project connecting environmental science with traditional teachings has become a model program now replicated in several schools across the province.
“Education isn’t just about curriculum—it’s about creating connections between knowledge systems and helping students see themselves in what they learn,” Brown explained when accepting her award. “When students recognize the relevance of their studies to both their heritage and their future, that’s when real learning happens.”
Stuart, a mathematics teacher with over two decades of experience, received recognition for dramatically improving student engagement in STEM subjects through real-world applications. Her innovative “Math in the Community” program partners students with local businesses to solve authentic mathematical challenges, resulting in a 40% increase in advanced mathematics enrollment at John Taylor Collegiate over the past three years.
The recognition comes with a $1,000 professional development grant and will see both educators participating in provincial curriculum development initiatives over the coming year, allowing their methodologies to influence teaching practices throughout Manitoba.
Winnipeg School Division Superintendent Pauline Clarke noted that the awards reflect broader excellence within the city’s educational system. “These teachers exemplify the innovative spirit we’re fostering across all our schools. Their success demonstrates how educator creativity, when properly supported, leads to exceptional student outcomes.”
The annual Excellence in Teaching Awards evaluate nominees on criteria including innovative teaching practices, student engagement strategies, community involvement, and measurable impact on student achievement. This year’s selection committee reviewed a record 87 nominations from across the province.
Parents have responded enthusiastically to the recognition. James Thompson, whose daughter studies in Brown’s immersion program, told CO24 News: “Ms. Brown has completely changed how our family views education. My daughter comes home excited about learning in ways I never experienced as a student.”
As educational systems worldwide face unprecedented challenges in preparing students for rapidly evolving futures, how might these award-winning teachers’ approaches to connecting classroom learning with real-world applications reshape our understanding of effective education?
