The 2019 Ken Spencer Awards for Innovation in Teaching and Learning showcase how teachers' willingness to step beyond their comfort zones to honour student choice can create exceedingly relevant learning experiences while solving some of the most complex societal issues that we face. From developing successful small businesses and sellable products, to harnessing the learning potential of museum artifacts and virtual reality alongside Indigenous cultural practices, these award-winning programs engage students into discovering their passions, histories and cultures in ways that equip them to effect meaningful change now and throughout their lifetime.
"Whether it's by adjusting timetables or rethinking student evaluation practices, these programs challenge the traditional structures of schooling as we know them," says EdCan Network Director and Awards Jury Chair Chris Kennedy. "We're confident that these awards will validate this courageous desire to innovate despite the system and encourage other early adopters to embrace these unique learning models."
Ken Spencer Awards recognition ceremonies will take place in each of the school communities of the seven winners. This is the 10th anniversary edition of these prestigious awards and the EdCan Network would like to thank all 96 schools and school district staff candidates for their time and effort in submitting an award application.
For a snapshot and detailed profiles showcasing the work of all seven of the following Ken Spencer Awards winners: www.edcan.ca/awards/the-ken-spencer-award/
FIRST PLACE - $7,000
Met Innovation Centre for Entrepreneurship (MICE)
Maples Met School (Seven Oaks School Division)
Winnipeg, Man.
SECOND PLACE - $3,000
Gwich'in Land-based Education
Chief Paul Niditchie School (CPNS)
Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS - $1,000
3D Virtual and Augmented Reality Class Museum
École L'Odyssée (Commission scolaire de la Capitale)
Quebec City, Que.
SPLICE Projects
St. Jerome Catholic Elementary School (York Catholic District School Board)
Aurora, Ont.
The Hopedale, Nunatsiavut Virtual Reality Class
Amos Comenius Memorial School (Newfoundland and Labrador English School District)
Hopedale, N.L.
Personalization at Max Aitken Academy!
Max Aitken Academy (Anglophone North School Division)
Miramichi, N.B.
i-Think about Science
Milton District High School (Halton District School Board)
Milton, Ont.
About the Ken Spencer Awards
The Ken Spencer Awards for Innovation in Teaching and Learning was established with the generous contributions of Dr. Ken Spencer to recognize and publicize innovative work that is sustainable and has the potential of being taken up by others; to encourage a focus on transformative change in schools; and to provide profile for classroom innovation within school districts, schools, and the media. www.edcan.ca/awards/the-ken-spencer-award/
