Brenda Collins
Year: 2008 – Province: Ontario
Certificate of Achievement Recipient
School: St. Jude Catholic School
690 Viscount Street
London, Ontario
N6J 2Y5
Principal: Annette Marentette
School Telephone: 519-660-2785
School Fax: 519-686-6655
School Email: ecolenda@csap.ednet.ns.ca
School Website: www.ldcsb.on.ca/schools/julo/index2.htm
Subjects and Grades Taught: Grades 7 and 8
Teaching Approach
- Get kids hooked on their own education and then let them fly!
- Textbooks are fine but hands-on materials are better: let students "experiment, experiment, experiment."
- Not enough teachers are acting as mentors to younger colleagues. Make giving back to the profession a priority.
Outstanding Achievements
- Was one of only two Canadians to join a group of 35 teachers from around the world at the Advanced Space Academy for Educators in Huntsville, Alabama. Ms. Collins was invited back for a second year as well.
- Has acted as mentor for more than 25 student teachers and given workshops for hundreds more. Readily shares learning tools and approaches with other teachers.
Rave Reviews
"To walk into her classroom is to be transported into a virtual space academy and ecosystem where mathematics, science and language activities motivate students to learn." Principal
"I just wanted to thank you and your students for the fun I had in your classroom giving the Structure of Matter presentation. I had such a great time doing the experiments with your students." Visiting scientist
"After two years in Mrs. Collin's classroom, our son's self-esteem improved dramatically, his marks improved considerably, reflecting his positive attitude toward learning, and his self confidence sky-rocketed." Parent