Westmount high school teacher Paul Paterson asked his students to understand how yesterday’s decisions can impact today and challenged them to find solutions for a better tomorrow.
Because of his unique class project, he recently received the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, presented the award to Paterson at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Paterson had his Grade 10 students form a “think tank” to identify problems that their own families may face in Canada in 50 years and to propose solutions. He asked them to investigate how historical context and decisions impacted current policies, and to research different approaches other countries have taken.
“I challenged the students to figure out, ‘What problems does Canada face?’ ” he said, explaining that the project fell into his teaching mantra of “Don’t ask (students) what they want to learn — ask them what problems they want to solve.”
Paterson is one of seven recipients of the Excellence in Teaching Award, chosen from 25 finalists.
“With this award, we celebrate the extraordinary work of teachers who outdo themselves every day to shape our adults of tomorrow. Knowledge of our history is a fundamental element of this education,” said Janet Walker, president and CEO of Canada’s History Society.
"The winners certainly have a significant influence on their students, enabling them to understand their history through unique and innovative projects."
Canada’s History Society is a national charitable organization with a mission to promote greater popular interest in Canadian history through its magazines, Canada’s History (formerly The Beaver) and Kayak: Canada’s History Magazine for Kids, as well as its education and award programs.
Paterson’s students tackled wide-ranging topics such as security in the Northwest Passage, immigration, health care, a growing older population, Canadian content in the film industry, and the impact of the oilsands. One pair of students researched and suggested ways to help reduce wait times in health care. The projects were showcased on a student-built website. Instead of a final exam, one class developed and held a news conference detailing their final proposals; a second class sent their policy ideas to experts and politicians to ask for feedback.
“It was cool to see them really take pride in their idea and push it forward and promote it,” said Paterson. “I thought that was a really important piece of the learning.”
Each winner is awarded a $2,500 prize and a $1,000 prize for their school. The award, established in 1996, is administered by Canada’s History Society with support from TD Bank and EF Educational Tours.
Westmount high school teacher Paul Paterson asked his students to understand how yesterday’s decisions can impact today and challenged them to find solutions for a better tomorrow.
Because of his unique class project, he recently received the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, presented the award to Paterson at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Paterson had his Grade 10 students form a “think tank” to identify problems that their own families may face in Canada in 50 years and to propose solutions. He asked them to investigate how historical context and decisions impacted current policies, and to research different approaches other countries have taken.
“I challenged the students to figure out, ‘What problems does Canada face?’ ” he said, explaining that the project fell into his teaching mantra of “Don’t ask (students) what they want to learn — ask them what problems they want to solve.”
Paterson is one of seven recipients of the Excellence in Teaching Award, chosen from 25 finalists.
“With this award, we celebrate the extraordinary work of teachers who outdo themselves every day to shape our adults of tomorrow. Knowledge of our history is a fundamental element of this education,” said Janet Walker, president and CEO of Canada’s History Society.
"The winners certainly have a significant influence on their students, enabling them to understand their history through unique and innovative projects."
Canada’s History Society is a national charitable organization with a mission to promote greater popular interest in Canadian history through its magazines, Canada’s History (formerly The Beaver) and Kayak: Canada’s History Magazine for Kids, as well as its education and award programs.
Paterson’s students tackled wide-ranging topics such as security in the Northwest Passage, immigration, health care, a growing older population, Canadian content in the film industry, and the impact of the oilsands. One pair of students researched and suggested ways to help reduce wait times in health care. The projects were showcased on a student-built website. Instead of a final exam, one class developed and held a news conference detailing their final proposals; a second class sent their policy ideas to experts and politicians to ask for feedback.
“It was cool to see them really take pride in their idea and push it forward and promote it,” said Paterson. “I thought that was a really important piece of the learning.”
Each winner is awarded a $2,500 prize and a $1,000 prize for their school. The award, established in 1996, is administered by Canada’s History Society with support from TD Bank and EF Educational Tours.
Westmount high school teacher Paul Paterson asked his students to understand how yesterday’s decisions can impact today and challenged them to find solutions for a better tomorrow.
Because of his unique class project, he recently received the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, presented the award to Paterson at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Paterson had his Grade 10 students form a “think tank” to identify problems that their own families may face in Canada in 50 years and to propose solutions. He asked them to investigate how historical context and decisions impacted current policies, and to research different approaches other countries have taken.
“I challenged the students to figure out, ‘What problems does Canada face?’ ” he said, explaining that the project fell into his teaching mantra of “Don’t ask (students) what they want to learn — ask them what problems they want to solve.”
Paterson is one of seven recipients of the Excellence in Teaching Award, chosen from 25 finalists.
“With this award, we celebrate the extraordinary work of teachers who outdo themselves every day to shape our adults of tomorrow. Knowledge of our history is a fundamental element of this education,” said Janet Walker, president and CEO of Canada’s History Society.
"The winners certainly have a significant influence on their students, enabling them to understand their history through unique and innovative projects."
Canada’s History Society is a national charitable organization with a mission to promote greater popular interest in Canadian history through its magazines, Canada’s History (formerly The Beaver) and Kayak: Canada’s History Magazine for Kids, as well as its education and award programs.
Paterson’s students tackled wide-ranging topics such as security in the Northwest Passage, immigration, health care, a growing older population, Canadian content in the film industry, and the impact of the oilsands. One pair of students researched and suggested ways to help reduce wait times in health care. The projects were showcased on a student-built website. Instead of a final exam, one class developed and held a news conference detailing their final proposals; a second class sent their policy ideas to experts and politicians to ask for feedback.
“It was cool to see them really take pride in their idea and push it forward and promote it,” said Paterson. “I thought that was a really important piece of the learning.”
Each winner is awarded a $2,500 prize and a $1,000 prize for their school. The award, established in 1996, is administered by Canada’s History Society with support from TD Bank and EF Educational Tours.