Montreal teacher wins Prime Minister’s Award for her work empowering young girls
Sacred Heart School of Montreal teacher Erika Rath has been awarded the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence, considered a high honour for educators in the country.
“This award belongs to everyone at the Sacred Heart School of Montreal, especially the students who make me a better educator and a better person every day," Rath said. "I am so grateful to work at a place that feels like home and to work with such a great team.”
Not only does Rath work as the school's director of student services, she also teaches a personal development course to students in grades 7 to 11.
According to the school, the course provides students with an opportunity to develop leadership skills and "helps them become agents of change in their community by highlighting the issues and causes that are important to them."
In awarding Rath with the honour, the Canadian government points out what makes her a great teacher is her ability to make sure all her students experience some sort of success.
"Her definition of student success is not based on grades or university acceptance, but rather on the belief that every student must be equipped with the tools needed to succeed beyond high school, namely confidence, determination and resilience," it states. "Erika encourages students to think differently by helping them identify their strengths and their passions, and how the two synergistically work together to help lead a purposeful life."
Her work focuses on empowering the young women in her care to know their worth and bring what they learn into the real world.
As the director of student services, Rath also spearheaded the school's virtual learning plan in response to COVID-19.
"Erika developed a weekly virtual speaker series that highlighted female leaders working in traditionally male-dominated industries, including business, politics and technology," the Canadian government notes. "This series allowed students to learn about potential new career paths and gain a better understanding of how they can use their knowledge for action to make an impact."
The Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence has honoured exceptional elementary and secondary school teachers since 1994.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.