Natalie MacIsaac

Year: 2016 – Province: Nova Scotia

Certificate of Achievement Recipient

Natalie MacIsaac

Horton High School
75 Greenwich Road South, RR#2
Wolfville, Nova Scotia  B4P 2R2

Principal: Brad Stokes
School telephone: 902-542-6060
School email: brad.stokes@avrsb.ca
School website: http://www.hortonhighschool.ca

Subjects and grades taught: English, Drama, Theatre Arts, African Heritage, grades 10 to 12

Through her natural effervescence and positive approach, Natalie MacIsaac supports and inspires an inclusive community of students and teachers, encouraging them to build their confidence and take on leadership roles.

Teaching approach

Ms. MacIsaac reaches out to students of all abilities and interests: teaching across the curriculum, incorporating dance and movement into her classes to invigorate students and offer opportunities for non-traditional assessment, and harnessing her community contacts to bring real-world perspectives into class.

Outstanding achievements

  • Produces the school's semi-annual musicals, contributing to the vibrant extra-curricular life at the school; organized student attendance at the provincial High School Drama Festival for a number of years.
  • Forges opportunities for students to grow as leaders: students work with local community theatre groups, both on stage and behind the scenes; others run the technical aspects (lighting and sound, for example) of student and community productions in the school's performance centre.
  • Coordinates the Creativity, Action, Service program to help academically gifted International Baccalaureate students balance school, fitness, rest and volunteering.
  • Developed English standardization expectations for teachers at the school, meshing them with Department of Education outcomes; was an integral member of a team that prepared and assessed the province-wide examinations for Grade 12 English; helped create the provincial African Heritage course.
  • Serves in a number of roles to support other educators: mentoring young teachers, both in teachers' college and the workforce, participating in the provincial educational drama association, being an active member of the teachers' union.

Rave reviews

"Ms. MacIsaac exemplifies the 4 E's: Enthusiastic, Energetic, Engaging and Encouraging! Always! Having her as a teacher and musical director helped me survive my high school years, and prepared me for college and life in general."

Former student

"A kind, caring individual with a wonderful sense of humour, Natalie works tirelessly for the betterment of her students, her colleagues and the school community."

Vice-Principal