Vanier College is pleased to announce that Shawna Lambert is the recipient of the 2018-2019 Teaching Excellence Award. Shawna Lambert who has taught in the Vanier Physical Education Department for more than 25 years received the award in recognition of her professionalism and her contributions to teaching and to the entire Vanier Community.
In particular, the Teaching Excellence Award underlines the following contributions Shawna has made to Vanier:
- Her guidance, support, mentoring, compassion and timeless efforts to create a motivating environment to promote well-being and self-esteem.
- Her expert knowledge in the field of Physical Education, health and wellness, and her creation of tools to facilitate learning.
- Her commitment to re-evaluate and re-invent her teaching practices and materials to improve the learning experience.
- Her boundless energy and the example it sets for others.
- Her congoing contribution to the Vanier Community through the employee fitness program, fundraisers and charity workouts.
Among the specific teaching tools, Shawna Lambert has created, colleagues underline the importance and quality of the Vanier Physical Education Manual, which is used by all teachers and students, and the Vanier Fitness Appraisal, which all students and some staff perform every semester, as well as the accompanying Vanier Fitness Appraisal Manual. Shawna has also taken the time to put together an Employee Handbook to provide information for a smoother adaptation of newly hired personnel and provide a resource for all members of the Physical Education Department.
In addition to her professional contributions to Vanier, Shawna's personal attributes have also inspired and motivated students and colleagues alike. "Shawna is very generous with her time, expertise and her professional knowledge. She is a leader in innovation of teaching techniques. She stays apprised of new developments in the field of health and fitness and is always trying new fitness trends in her class. Having watched her teach, I can tell you that her classes are highly organized, structured, extremely well planned out and a lot of fun," said colleague Marie Gribbon.
Former students have indicated that Shawna Lambert "is more than just a gym teacher She is a role model, a motivator, a leader and an inspiration She cares for all of us, even those who only show up for class once in a while."
Colleagues summarize her personal qualities when they say, "Shawna leads quietly and by example. She lives what she teaches. She has been a lighthouse for her students and colleagues."
Congratulations to this outstanding teacher, Shawna Lambert, winner of the 2018-2019 Vanier Teaching Excellence Award.
