Barrhead Outreach School teacher Joanne Wallace has been recognized with a Certificate of Achievement for the Prime Minister's Teaching Excellence Awards.
The Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence have celebrated exceptional elementary and secondary school teachers from across the country since 1994. Administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on behalf of the Prime Minister, in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada, the awards recognize teachers for their leadership, innovative practices, and commitment to helping the next generation of Canadians gain the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a world inspired by ideas and driven by innovation.
Wallace was nominated by Barrhead Outreach School Principal Colleen Teske, who describes her as a passionate educator whose dedication to her students extends far beyond the classroom.
Teaching English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Math to students in Grades 7-12, Wallace is known for her compassion, creativity, and unshakable belief in every student's potential. She has built a learning environment where students feel seen, respected, and capable.
"Mrs. Wallace was and is an incredibly important person to me. Her class felt like home," shared a former student. "She never made me feel like a burden. She was always there when I needed someone to talk to."
Whether she's leading a community cleanup or mentoring students through personalized credit projects, Wallace's influence reaches well beyond academics. Her teaching is grounded in the idea that no student is ever beyond reach.
She tailors lessons to her students' interests teaching geometry through haunted house prop design or creativity through silk-screened band t-shirts. She connects literacy to identity through a classroom library featuring diverse voices and encourages students to give back by volunteering, maintaining a school garden, and engaging with local seniors.
Wallace also collaborates with Indigenous Elders to incorporate storytelling, language, and land-based learning into her classroom helping students translate personal narratives into beaded artwork and other creative expressions.
Her leadership extends throughout the division. She has spearheaded a breakfast initiative at a rural elementary school, led large-scale interdisciplinary projects, and helped students explore future career paths through trade fairs, job placements, and mentorship.
Through her consistent belief in her students and her innovative, compassionate approach, Joanne Wallace is redefining what's possible in alternative education and inspiring hope for the future.
Congratulations Joanne!
