Robin Barker-James, a high school teacher in Tillsonburg, is a finalist for The 2000 Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. Mr. Barker-James was selected from a national pool of teachers nominated for their dynamic and innovative approach to teaching Canadian history.

The Award program, established in 1996 by Canada's National History Society (CNHS), is designed to recognize and reward the efforts of outstanding Canadian History teachers, celebrate Canadian history and promote the sharing of great history teaching ideas. Twelve finalist submissions are selected annually; one Award recipient is chosen from the finalists.

Mr. Barker-James uses a multi-disciplinary approach to teaching Canadian Studies with two of his key techniques being simulations and role plays. His courses focus on Canada’s development from the turn of the century to the present.

Barker-James often goes beyond the walls of the classroom to bring Canadian history to life for his students: his farm becomes a World War I battlefield for a weekend- long Trench Warfare simulation and the Woodstock courthouse was the site of his class’s version of the Nuremburg trials.

Other unique activities led by Barker-James include the creation of a Boer War press conference and exercises in which his classroom becomes both Steerage and First Class on the RMS Titanic. He has also designed a primary documents exercise on the Halifax explosion.

As a result of attending the 55th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, Mr. Barker-James produced a video entitled, Echoes of Remembrance. The video, which is available to all secondary schools in The Thames Valley District School Board, was instrumental in the creation of D-Day 2000. This high school heritage field trip saw fifty-seven Canadian students, teachers, and veterans participate in D-Day ceremonies and parades in France as well as visiting Canadian battlefields and World War I historic sites.

Barker-James will be honoured with the other finalists for The 2000 Governor General’s Award at a ceremony later this fall at Ottawa's Rideau Hall under the auspices of Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada. At this time the recipient will be announced and the Award presented.

There are three other finalists from Ontario for this year’s award: Paul Follett from Lakefield, Gary O’Dwyer from Cobourg and Marc Kierstead from Newmarket. Over the five-year history of the Award there have been 15 finalists from Ontario. Al Skeoch from Toronto was the 1999 Award recipient.

As part of the Award program and to further the sharing of great history teaching ideas, Canada’s National History Society has developed the Database of Canadian History Specialists—a searchable database and web site that lists all nominees for the award and their areas of specialization. Lesson plans are also available on the site at www.historysociety.ca.

Winnipeg-based CNHS is a non-profit organization with a mandate to popularize Canadian History.

Canada's National History Society acknowledges the generous support of the following sponsors: Hudson's Bay History Foundation, Bell Canada, the Investors Group, and Wawanesa Insurance.

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For additional information contact us in Toronto:

If you wish to contact Robin Barker-James directly, he can be reached at (519) 842-4207 (Glendale High School) or at (519) 688-0066 (home).

Paul Follett, a grade-10 teacher in Lakefield, is a finalist for The 2000 Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. Mr. Follett was selected from a national pool of teachers nominated for their dynamic and innovative approach to teaching Canadian history.

The Award program, established in 1996 by Canada's National History Society (CNHS), is designed to recognize and reward the efforts of outstanding Canadian History teachers, celebrate Canadian history and promote the sharing of great history teaching ideas. Twelve finalist submissions are selected annually; one Award recipient is chosen from among the finalists.

A strong proponent of experiential learning, Follett is committed to helping students become concerned citizens. "I strongly believe that if Canadian students see the world beyond their borders they will be involved citizens at home and be more aware of their country’s international responsibilities," explains Follett.

To further this goal, he has initiated and developed a model United Nations course. Selected students travel to the Hague, Netherlands to participate in a week of debate and international exchange with students from more than 92 countries in the world’s largest model UN. Lakefield is one of only two schools in Canada involved in this project.

In preparation for their week in the model UN, Lakefield students create and debate resolutions, speak on international issues, discuss the morning’s current events and listen to guest speakers.

Closer to home, Follett has helped his students better understand the issues of concern to northern Canadians through coordinating an unforgettable student exchange with a school in Pond Inlet, Nunavut.

In another of Follet’s "hands on" initiatives, he assigns his classes a personal scrapbook project. For one semester, students record personal accomplishments and commentary on their lives. They also include pictures, memorabilia and newspaper clippings, thereby creating a primary history resource to be shared with future children and grandchildren.

Follett has organized many special events such as the Historic Person’s Dinner in which students select and research a character whom they role play for an entire evening. Coming dressed in appropriate period costumes that they have created, bringing a food item they have prepared, students enjoy a lively program that includes questions and answers, topped off by "autobiographical" speeches that their characters might have delivered.

Follett will be honoured with the other finalists for The 2000 Governor General’s Award at a ceremony later this fall at Ottawa's Rideau Hall, under the auspices of Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada. At this time the recipient will be announced and the Award presented.

There are three other finalists from Ontario for this year’s award: Robin Barker-James from Tillsonburg, Gary O’Dwyer from Cobourg and Marc Kierstead from Newmarket. Over the five-year history of the Award there have been 15 finalists from Ontario. Al Skeoch from Toronto was the 1999 Award recipient.

As part of the Award program and to further the sharing of great history teaching ideas, Canada’s National History Society has developed the Database of Canadian History Specialists—a searchable database and web site that lists all nominees for the award and their areas of specialization. Lesson plans are also available on the site at www.historysociety.ca.

Winnipeg-based CNHS is a non-profit organization with a mandate to popularize Canadian History.

Canada's National History Society acknowledges the generous support of the following sponsors: Hudson's Bay History Foundation, Bell Canada, the Investors Group, and Wawanesa Insurance.

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Editors' Advisory:

For additional information contact us in Toronto:

If you wish to contact Paul Follett directly, he can be reached at (705) 652-3333 (Lakefield Secondary School) or at (705) 652-7654 (home).

Gary O’Dwyer, a secondary school teacher in Cobourg, is a finalist for The 2000 Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. O’Dwyer was selected from a national pool of teachers nominated for their dynamic and innovative approach to teaching Canadian history.

The Award program, established in 1996 by Canada's National History Society (CNHS), is designed to recognize and reward the efforts of outstanding Canadian History teachers, celebrate Canadian history and promote the sharing of great history teaching ideas. Twelve finalist submissions are selected annually; one Award recipient is chosen from among the finalists.

"Gary O’Dwyer has brought the world to his classroom," stated his nominators. "Through his Speaker’s Forum, the students of St. Mary’s have had the opportunity to meet with world leaders and discuss issues with them."

Mr. O’Dwyer started the Speaker’s Forum 16 years ago to allow students to question speakers with viewpoints on particular issues. By having junior and senior students work together to study the issues, O’Dwyer creates both leadership and learning opportunities. The students write and ask their own questions in front of several hundred students at the Speaker’s Forum. Over the years, the Forum has tackled a wide range of topics including the Holocaust, Canada and the Superpowers, Veterans and War, and Native Issues. Panel members have included Auschwitz survivors, ambassadors, members of Veteran’s Outreach, representatives of the Afghanistan War Veterans Association and authors.

The Speaker’s Forum has led to the development of the Politics Society, which gives students a chance to focus on Canadian political issues and personalities.

As a result of the Forums on war, O’Dwyer’s grade-ten history class now acknowledges Canada’s war dead through readings, poetry and song. Veterans’ names are provided by the Royal Canadian Legion.

O’Dwyer was one of 15 Canadian educators chosen to attend a Holocaust and Hope Educators’ Study Tour of Germany, Poland and Israel. As a result he developed anti-racism and Holocaust education units for all grade levels in the school.

Closer to home, O’Dwyer’s class has made presentations to the Legislative Assembly on Bill 160.

O’Dwyer is a recipient of the YMCA Peace Medal, the McLuhan Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Canada 125 Medal. He has directed international student exchanges to Northern Ireland, the former Soviet Union and Honduras.

O’Dwyer will be honoured with the other finalists for The 2000 Governor General’s Award at a ceremony later this fall at Ottawa's Rideau Hall under the auspices of Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada. At this time the recipient will be announced and the Award presented.

There are three other finalists from Ontario for this year’s award: Paul Follett from Lakefield, Robin Barker-James from Tillsonburg and Marc Kierstead from Newmarket. Over the five-year history of the Award there have been 15 finalists from Ontario. Al Skeoch from Toronto was the 1999 Award recipient.

As part of the Award program and to further the sharing of great history teaching ideas, Canada’s National History Society has developed the Database of Canadian History Specialists—a searchable database and web site that lists all nominees for the award and their areas of specialization. Lesson plans are also available on the site at www.historysociety.ca.

Winnipeg-based CNHS is a non-profit organization with a mandate to popularize Canadian History.

Canada's National History Society acknowledges the generous support of the following sponsors: Hudson's Bay History Foundation, Bell Canada, the Investors Group and Wawanesa Insurance.

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Editors' Advisory:

For additional information contact us in Toronto:

If you wish to contact Gary O’Dwyer directly, he can be reached at (905) 372-4339 (St. Mary’s Secondary School) or at (905) 372-8247 (home).

Marc Keirstead, a high school teacher in Newmarket, is a finalist for The 2000 Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. Keirstead was selected from a national pool of teachers nominated for their dynamic and innovative approach to teaching Canadian history.

The Award program, established in 1996 by Canada's National History Society (CNHS), is designed to recognize and reward the efforts of outstanding Canadian History teachers, celebrate Canadian history and promote the sharing of great history teaching ideas. Twelve finalist submissions are selected annually; one Award recipient is chosen from among the finalists.

Among his many achievements, Mr. Keirstead has nurtured an exchange program between his students at Sacred Heart Catholic High School and those of Takeoseiryo Senior School in Japan. Students at the two schools learn about each other first through on-line discussions on a wide range of subjects including World War II issues and Canadian elections. One of the highlights of this project was a visit by the Japanese students and teachers to Canada and a return visit to Japan. The students of both schools continue to communicate and will be involved in joint projects in the coming school year.

Keirstead has also organized many local field trips and often brings guest speakers to his classroom. In the past, notables such as Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander and Conrad Black have addressed his students.

Other teaching strategies that Keirstead uses include role playing, debates, films, music and art. He has held mock, in-class and inter-school, provincial and federal elections via computer-based bulletin boards. His class developed its own constitution and then invited and received comments from the late Senator Eugene Forsey.

"For Marc, history is a hands-on, vibrant and challenging subject and he aims to demonstrate this," stated his nominators. His students gain an understanding of events and the forces that shaped them, but they also acquire important skills along the way.

Outside the class, Keirstead voluntarily provides instruction to school staff and the Board on the Internet. He serves as a consultant on role-playing activities and evaluation and assessment strategies and has written curriculum at the provincial level.

Keirstead will be honoured with the other finalists for The 2000 Governor General’s Award at a ceremony later this fall at Ottawa's Rideau Hall under the auspices of Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada. At this time the recipient will be announced and the Award presented.

There are three other finalists from Ontario for this year’s award: Paul Follett from Lakefield, Gary O’Dwyer from Cobourg and Robin Barker-James from Tillsonburg. Over the five-year history of the Award there have been 15 finalists from Ontario. Al Skeoch from Toronto was the 1999 Award recipient

As part of the Award program and to further the sharing of great history teaching ideas, Canada’s National History Society has developed the Database of Canadian History Specialists—a searchable database and web site that lists all nominees for the award and their areas of specialization. Lesson plans are also available on the site at www.historysociety.ca.

Winnipeg-based CNHS is a non-profit organization with a mandate to popularize Canadian History.

Canada's National History Society acknowledges the generous support of the following sponsors: Hudson's Bay History Foundation, Bell Canada, the Investors Group and Wawanesa Insurance.

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Editors' Advisory:

For additional information contact us in Toronto:

If you wish to contact Marc Keirstead directly, he can be reached at (905) 895-3340 (Sacred Heart Catholic High School) or at (905) 727-3658 (home).

Mario Mimeault, a teacher in Rivière-au-Renard, Québec, is the recipient of the 2000 Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. Mr. Mimeault received the Award today from Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, in a ceremony at Rideau Hall.

Mimeault is a first-rate classroom performer who uses his superb story-telling abilities to make the past exciting and relevant.

His impact in the classroom is illustrated by the comments of the students who nominated him: "M. Mario Mimeault fait plus que nous apprendre l’histoire; il fait en sorte que nous la comprenions."

Passionate about understanding past events, Mimeault avidly embraces the use of new technology in delivering his courses: his students develop a computer database of Canadian historical figures and create computer-based PowerPoint presentations on a theme in Canadian history.

This year Mr. Mimeault’s students at l’école Antoine-Roy in Rivière-au-Renard will be organizing and presenting a Symposium on Local History and Culture in the Gaspésie region. The week-long event, to be held in April 2001, will be open to all students and parents at the school as well as the general public.

Each evening throughout the event participants will be able to visit booths exploring different topics such as the First Nations, genealogy and Jacques Cartier. Other activities will include historical plays, video screenings, and traditional music and food. Mimeault’s students will present their history projects including: Le Renardois, a computer-designed historic newspaper; and two videos, Histoire du Québec et du Canada and Histoire de la Gaspésie.

Not only is Mimeault an outstanding teacher, he is one of Canada's foremost authorities on the history of fishing in Québec and the Maritimes. He has published four books and been the narrator for several historical videos including Les Pays du Québec–La Gaspésie.

Mimeault’s research has been published in prestigious works such as the Dictionnaire biographique du Canada and the Encyclopedia of Canada’s Peoples. His articles frequently appear in both scholarly and popular history magazines.

The Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History was established in 1996 by Canada's National History Society (CNHS) to recognize and reward the efforts of outstanding Canadian history teachers, celebrate Canadian history and promote the sharing of great history teaching ideas. Twelve finalist submissions are selected annually; one Award recipient is chosen from among the finalists.

Over the five-year history of the Award, there have been seven previous finalists from Quebec: Sylvain Christin and Paul Bennett both of Montreal (1999); the teaching trio of Luc Tousignant, Vincent Ruel and Nicole Gobeil from Sherbrooke (1998); Gordon Blackman of Montreal (1997); and, Raymond Duchesne from Loretteville (1996).

As part of the Award program and to further the sharing of great history teaching ideas, Canada’s National History Society has developed the Database of Canadian History Specialists—a searchable database and web site that lists all nominees for the award and their areas of specialization. Lesson plans are also available on the site at www.historysociety.ca.

Winnipeg-based CNHS, publisher of The Beaver, is a non-profit organization with a mandate to popularize Canadian History.

Canada's National History Society acknowledges the generous support of the following sponsors: Hudson's Bay History Foundation, Bell Canada, the Investors Group and Wawanesa Insurance.

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Editors' Advisory:

To download a high resolution photo of Mr. Mimeault receiving his award or for further information go to www.e-mediakits.com/GGHistoryAward

If you require additional information contact us in Toronto.

• Bruce Van-Lane -- Voice: 416-599-9229 ext. 1 Fax: 416-599-0456

e-mail: general@CommunicationMatters.com

If you wish to contact Mr. Mimeault directly, he can be reached at the Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa, (613) 235-3333 until Sunday, November 19.

After that he can be reached at (418) 269-3301 (Polyvalente Antoine-Roy) or at (418) 368-3146 (home). Student interviews at the school can be arranged, however three days advance notice is required.

Dianna Alain, Sandra Bamford, Rae Horsman and Linda Mowbray, teachers in Lutes Mountain, New Brunswick, are finalists for The 2000 Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. The foursome were selected from a national pool of teachers nominated for their dynamic and innovative approach to teaching Canadian history.

The Award program, established in 1996 by Canada's National History Society (CNHS), is designed to recognize and reward the efforts of outstanding Canadian History teachers, celebrate Canadian history and promote the sharing of great history teaching ideas. Twelve finalist submissions are selected annually; one Award recipient is chosen from among the finalists.

These four teachers have collaboratively transformed the teaching of Canadian History at Lutes Mountain’s Magnetic Hill Elementary School through the creation of five exciting interdisciplinary study units: Early Explorers of Canada; North American Native People; Pioneers; Canada: Building a Nation; Changes; and, Kids Caring About Canada.

In the early Canadian units, students learn about Native peoples and New Brunswick’s early settlers through re-enacting scenes of significant historical moments. They also participate in hands-on activities such as knitting, quilting, cooking and costume making. During the annual Heritage Fair, students assume Native or pioneer identities from the past.

The Changes unit utilizes comparative studies of technology, communications, transportation and clothing to bridge the gap between the past and present. For example, horse-drawn buggies are compared to sports utility vehicles; printing presses are stacked up against laptop computers and the world wide web. With regard to the changing role of women, the confining corset is juxtaposed with many contemporary women’s choice of the running shoe for practical footwear.

In Kids Caring About Canada students familiarize themselves with Canadian artists such as the Group of Seven and then imitate their work to get a sense of the geography and style that inspired the artists.

As part of the study units, students at Magnetic Hill School have listened to guest speakers such as Bernard Lord, Premier of New Brunswick, and Canadian flag creator, George Stanley as well as members of Parliament and local historians.

Ms. Alain, Ms. Bamford, Mr. Horsman and Ms. Mowbray will be honoured with the other finalists for The 2000 Governor General’s Award at a ceremony later this fall at Ottawa's Rideau Hall under the auspices of Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada. At this time the recipient will be announced and the Award presented.

The teaching team of Anne Marie Duguay and Sandra Mitchell from Rothesay, New Brunswick are also finalists for this year’s award. New Brunswick has been well represented in previous years’ Awards as well: Indu Varma from Sackville was the Award recipient in 1997. Other finalists from New Brunswick include Susan Bate from Rothesay (1997), the teaching team of Janet McKinney and Linda Dodge from St. John (1996) and Ed Caissie from Minto (1996).

As part of the Award program and to further the sharing of great history teaching ideas, Canada’s National History Society has developed the Database of Canadian History Specialists—a searchable database and web site that lists all nominees for the award and their areas of specialization. Lesson plans are also available on the site at www.historysociety.ca.

Winnipeg-based CNHS is a non-profit organization with a mandate to popularize Canadian History.

Canada's National History Society acknowledges the generous support of the following sponsors: Hudson's Bay History Foundation, Bell Canada, the Investors Group and Wawanesa Insurance.

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Editors' Advisory:

For additional information contact us in Toronto:

If you wish to contact the finalists directly, they can be reached at (506) 856-3428 (Magnetic Hill School).

Rothesay teachers named among Canada’s top history teachers

Anne Marie Duguay and Sandra Mitchell, teachers in Rothesay, New Brunswick, are finalists for The 2000 Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. Duguay and Mitchell were selected from a national pool of teachers nominated for their dynamic and innovative approach to teaching Canadian history.

The Award program, established in 1996 by Canada's National History Society (CNHS), is designed to recognize and reward the efforts of outstanding Canadian History teachers, celebrate Canadian history and promote the sharing of great history teaching ideas. Twelve finalist submissions are selected annually; one Award recipient is chosen from among the finalists.

Ms. Duguay and Ms. Mitchell, who teach at Rothesay’s Harry Miller Middle School, have created a unique multi-media study unit of St. John entitled Reaching Into Our Past (1837 to the present). The unit is an interdisciplinary approach to learning that uses language arts, technology, social studies, art and French to enable students to explore the culture, geography and lifestyles of the 1800s. Historical novels are also integrated into the unit.

Duguay’s and Mitchell’s classes can be seen interviewing locals, shooting videos, and visiting places such as the New Brunswick Museum, Loyalist House and local businesses.

Throughout the year-long study unit students are expected to produce several projects that demonstrate critical thinking and the synthesis and understanding of written works. Students produce a diverse range of results. Examples include the creation of a Loyalist cafe, web pages, stories, T-shirt designs, poems and biographies. Reaching Into our Past (1837 to the present) was exhibited at the 1999 National Heritage Fair in Edmonton. Harry Miller Middle School was a recipient of the 2000 Crystal Apple Award (District 6 & 8) based on this unit.

Duguay’s and Mitchell’s students also participate in a Heritage project in which they study a person whose lifestyle, accomplishments, interests and/or career have contributed to Canadian heritage. They then create biographies of these people that are added to the school’s web site.

Not individuals to rest on their laurels, Duguay and Mitchell are currently participating in the development of a new grade-seven and -nine Social Studies curriculum for the Atlantic provinces.

Duguay and Mitchell will be honoured with the other finalists for The 2000 Governor General’s Award at a ceremony later this fall at Ottawa's Rideau Hall under the auspices of Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada. At this time the recipient will be announced and the Award presented.

A group of four teachers from Lutes Mountain, New Brunswick are also finalists for this year’s award. New Brunswick has been well represented in previous years’ Awards as well: Indu Varma from Sackville, New Brunswick was the Award recipient in 1997. Other finalists from New Brunswick include Susan Bate from Rothesay (1997); the teaching team of Janet McKinney and Linda Dodge from St. John (1996); and, Ed Caissie from Minto (1996).

As part of the Award program and to further the sharing of great history teaching ideas, Canada’s National History Society has developed the Database of Canadian History Specialists—a searchable database and web site that lists all nominees for the award and their areas of specialization. Lesson plans are also available on the site at www.historysociety.ca.

Winnipeg-based CNHS is a non-profit organization with a mandate to popularize Canadian History.

Canada's National History Society acknowledges the generous support of the following sponsors: Hudson's Bay History Foundation, Bell Canada, the Investors Group, and Wawanesa Insurance.

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Editors' Advisory:

For additional information contact us in Toronto:

If you wish to contact the finalists directly, Anne Marie Duguay and Sandra Mitchell can be reached at (506) 849-5515 (Harry Miller Middle School) or at (506) 847- 5119 (home).