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4- The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 19, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com St. Dominic's teacher wins Governor General's Award for Excellence The third time turned out to be the charm for St. Dominic School teacher John MacPhail who, after two previous nominations, will receive the 2007 Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. The Grade 7 teacher joined six other similarly remarkable teachers in the winner's circle on Oct. 1, after a committee of judges selected them from among 25 potential finalists. "It's overwhelming," said MacPhail. "All the positive response I've been getting from (the) community, from parents and students has been great. I almost feel like Marisa Tomei when she won the Oscar for My Cousin Vinny because she thought, `Maybe they called the wrong name.'" The contest, engineered by Canada's National History Society, recognizes teachers who used creative methods to engage their students and to give them a finer appreciation of Canadian history. The competition proved fierce, but in the end MacPhail's teaching style of having his Grade 7 class stage a mock trial for William Lyon Mackenzie, the architect of the 1837 rebellion, ensured him a place among the victors. "Being in the company I was in, the quality of the teachers who were selected, you wonder, `Wow, am I really that good,'" laughed MacPhail. Besides being able to dress up like the characters of the period, students were engaged by MacPhail's technique of pointing out to them how some of the issues dealt with during the trial are still around today. MacPhail noted that a recent Toronto City Hall scandal, in which officials were accused of hiring family members and friends, was similar to a situation in 1837 where Mackenzie fought against the Family Compact. MacPhail also noted that the trial scenario is good because students love to compete with each other, however the exercise makes it so they have to compete with the right historical knowledge. "Kids love to argue, so it's natural for them to want to get up there and argue a point, but this exercise forces them to be a little more disciplined because they have to have the facts," he said. For his efforts MacPhail will be awarded $2,500, a gold medal and a trip for two to the Awards ceremony in Ottawa at Rideau Hall on Friday, Nov. 2. Even though he has won the award, MacPhail says his students need not fear a decrease in the interesting content of their history lessons, with more fun filled historical activities planned for the future. "We're going to try and keep active and do lots of fun things," said MacPhail. "We're going to expand on the mock trials that we do and the dramatizations. We're going to try and keep them busy and engaged in history with a hands on approach as much as possible." DAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER AWARD-WINNING TEACHER: St. Dominic's School teacher John MacPhail is congratulated by his students for winning the 2007 Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. Where the best get better. European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 905.849.0266 1223 Men`s and Women`s High Mileage Running Shoe · Update of the 1222, voted "Best Update" ­ September 2007, Runner's World · N-DuranceTM Outsole provides long-wearing durability · N-LOCKTM Support designed to provide upper midfoot structure and enhanced support 5 Oakville . W E. Q. 9 LE IDD ST RM PPEOAD EA UR The largest selection of New Balance apparel, accessories and footwear in multiple widths. 8 403 TH TH E LIN E LIN Upper Middle Rd E & 8th Line 905.337.9393 www.newbalanceoakville.ca