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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday June 16, 2007 - 3 Teacher tops in her class By Andrew Fruch SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER P am Calvert is known by friends and colleagues as being a humble educator with a passion for teaching history to young minds. So when she found out that she had won the 2007 Alan Skeoch award, the Oakville Trafalgar High School (OTHS) teacher was at a loss for words. "It was a total surprise," said Calvert. "I didn't even know I was nominated. I received an e-mail saying I won it. It came out of the blue. I was dumfounded and surprised." Calvert was nominated for the award by former OTHS Vice Principal Larry O'Malley. In a letter that was sent to the Ontario History and Social Science Teachers Association (OHASSTA), O'Malley said of Calvert, "She is a very hard-working individual who is quite humble." Although Calvert is pleased to receive the award, she believes there are a number of teachers who deserve to be recognized, and that for her to be honoured for her teaching ability is the product of the people who have helped shape her career. "There are so many deserving teachers," said Calvert. "I've been fortunate to have had such wonderful mentors in my career and department. They have been excellent role models and these people have made me the teacher I am today." For Calvert, her teaching style revolves around providing students with choice when it comes to the way they learn. She believes that when the student is intrigued by the course material, it brings out the best in them. "I like the students to take ownership and make them responsible for the decisions they make," said Calvert. "I try to give them a lot of choice in the projects they undertake." Calvert began her teaching career in the 1970s, although she took time off to raise a family before returning to teaching. Over the last few years, Calvert has taken part in many initiatives in the school community and beyond. She has played a key role in the Halton Memorial Brick Program, a program that purchases bricks for the Juno Beach Centre to commemorate the 264 people from this area who were killed during the First World War. For the past two years, Calvert has organized student trips to Ottawa for Remembrance Day and is planning a battlefield tour for students at OTHS for March break 2008. Calvert has also brought Gordon Hendry, a naval veteran of the Second World War, into the school to speak to students on numerous occasions throughout the year. The Alan Skeoch Award is a yearly award given to any teacher at both the secondary or elementary level who shows excellence in teaching by showing scholarship, sensitivity to students of all levels, collegiality, enthusiasm and going beyond the classroom to further the education experience. Calvert will be presented with a plaque honouring her achievement at the annual OHASSTA conference, which will take place in November of this year. Calvert is grateful for the award and believes it reflects the amount of support she has received throughout her teaching career. "I'm very honoured to receive the award," said Calvert. "It reflects the Halton District School Board and the support they give to their teachers, and the OHASSTA." LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER HEAD OF THE CLASS: Teacher Pam Calvert, pictured with her Grade 10 class, won the Alan Skeoch Award, an annual award for excellence in teaching. · Wood & Vinyl Shutters, Supplied & Installed · High Quality at Affordable Prices · Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed · Serving Oakville with Shop at Home Service Authorized Vinylbilt Dealer www.shuttersetc.ca Shop at Home Service FREE