TDSB Essex program wins innovation in education award.
Ron Canuel, CEO of the Canadian Education Association presents the national Ken Spencer Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning to Principal of Alternative Programs Donna Lamb for the Toronto District School Board's Essex Alternative Attendance Program.
Staff photo/LISA RAINFORD
Amber McLead, a Grade 12 student, is an honour student, captain of the wrestling team and headed to York University to study nursing next year, but there was a time not so long ago when her future didn't look so bright.
As a Grade 9 student she struggled to make it to class. Her father had passed away and she had to help out at home with her younger siblings while juggling a part-time job. When McLead first arrived at the Toronto District School Board's (TDSB) Essex Alternative Attendance Program at Brockton High School in the Dufferin Street and Bloor Street West area, she had zero credits and a 14 per cent grade average.
However, "it was where my extraordinary journey began," McLead told her audience of fellow graduates, current students, parents and teachers who had gathered for a special awards ceremony at the school, Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 15.
McLead credits the Essex program's teachers for their ability to "identify students' needs and capabilities within hours of meeting them" while providing a welcoming and comfortable environment that felt "like a family."
It is for these inventive teaching methods that the Essex Alternative Attendance Program was awarded a national award for innovation in teaching and learning. It is the recipient of the $3,000 second place prize for the national Ken Spencer Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning from the Canadian Education Association.
The Essex program helps students overcome chronic absenteeism, earn credits, regain confidence and re-engage in their education. That's exactly what it did for graduate McLead.
"It taught me that you can believe in yourself, that you can achieve something," she said following the awards ceremony.
The Essex program, explained teacher Lanna MacKay, focuses on holistic education. The students receive visits from guest speakers on a weekly basis, who address issues such as body image and addiction, said MacKay. There are nine similar alternative attendance programs offered by the TDSB in other city schools.
"Here at the TDSB, we're committed to doing whatever it takes to help students learn," said Karen Gravitis, the school board's chief executive officer of program and focused intervention. "Our number one priority is to make sure every student succeeds."
Instead of writing individual exams for each subject, students collaborate on a month-long interdisciplinary group project that culminates in an exposition. Every year, students choose a different theme and final product. As each stage of the project is completed, students earn credits - it's student driven, but teacher facilitated.
"It was definitely an eye-opening experience," said McLead of her final project. "I believe our final project made us realize we could be successful."
Ron Canuel, chief executive officer of the Canadian Education Association, said the Essex program stood out from the boxes and boxes of submissions the organization received for the award.
"This program is a winning formula. You are making a difference," said Canuel.