Students recognize teachers who made an impact

Students recognize teachers who made an impact

By Communications Staff

June 8, 2015

Share

[Baillie Award Westbrook]
Marina Westbrook, second from left, an English and drama teacher at Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville, Ont. received the Baillie Award for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching during a convocation ceremony presided over by Principal Daniel Woolf, left, Chancellor Jim Leech, second from right, and Rector Mike Young. (University Communications)

Teachers can have a lasting, positive impact and graduating students at Queen鈥檚 University are able to acknowledge the support they received from their high school teachers thanks to the Baillie Award for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching.

Each year during spring convocation, Baillie Awards are presented, following a nomination and selection process. The award was established by Chancellor Emeritus A. Charles Baillie and provides undergraduate students in their graduating year the chance to honour educators who have had a decisive and formative influence on them.

鈥淭he Baillie Award for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching is a wonderful opportunity for graduating students to honour a high school teacher who supported them on their path to higher education at Queen鈥檚,鈥 says Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs. 鈥淭he university is grateful to Mr. Baillie for establishing this program in recognition of the positive influence that so many secondary school teachers have on their students.鈥

One of this year鈥檚 recipients is Marina Westbrook, an English and drama teacher at Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville, Ont., who was nominated by Charlotte Orzel (Artsci鈥15). Ms. Orzel says she applied the writing, analytical and critical thinking skills she learned from Ms. Westbrook throughout her time at Queen鈥檚 and credits her former teacher with igniting her understanding of the importance of storytelling in life and society.

鈥淲henever someone asks why I study film, I don鈥檛 tell them about my favourite director, a formative viewing of Bergman, or even a compelling lecture from Film 110,鈥 Ms. Orzel says. 鈥淚nstead, I tell them about my high school English teacher.鈥

This year鈥檚 recipients also include:

  • Francesco Malfitano, Physical Education, Religion, and Geography teacher at St. Joseph鈥檚 College School in Toronto, nominated by Jennifer Taylor, (Sc鈥15)
  • Brian Rowe, History, Canadian and World Studies teacher at Brock High School in Cannington, Ont., nominated by Joshua Jones (Artsci鈥15)
  • William Code, Chemistry, Science and Music teacher at West Carleton Secondary School in Dunrobin, Ont., nominated by Hailey Ventola, (Artsci鈥15)
  • Andrew Culberson, Independent Study teacher and Guidance Counsellor at Fredericton High School in Fredericton, N.B, nominated by Alisha Virmani, (Artsci鈥15)

More information about the Baillie Awards is available on the .