A teacher with the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Education in Red Lake has been recognized as one of the top teachers in all of Canada.
Tom Doherty was recently honoured as one of 11 recipients of the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.
Doherty says it’s not all about academics in the classroom.
He stresses he takes pride in engaging his students in projects that broaden their global perspective and enhancing their understanding.
Doherty says his main goal is helping kids in initiatives that will create a better society.
Doherty is well known for thinking outside the box.
He got his 70 Native Language students to write their own digital book using Integrated technology and he says they able to showcase their book at the ‘Word on the Street’ Festival in Toronto.
Doherty also helped his kids research what diabetes does for the First Nations people and they created a project where they sold bouquet of flowers in the community.
All proceeds were used to purchase new playground equipment for the Municipality of Red Lake.
He stresses the award shows that teachers in northwestern Ontario are among the best in all of Canada.
Doherty was born in Dryden, raised in Vermilion Bay and received his education at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.
The Metis instructor has 11-years experience in the education field.
Doherty received his award from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa.
He drew laughs when he hugged Trudeau, with the Emcee of the event stating he had just done something that every woman in attendance wanted to do.
You can hear the complete interview with Tom Doherty by visiting the audio link below.
