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
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
BREAKING Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street