Other Awards and Bursaries

Governor General Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History

The Award program recognizes the outstanding contributions of Canada's history teachers, ranging from elementary grades through to secondary schools. The awards recognize Canadian teachers who inspire students to explore Canadian history in an interactive atmosphere. Recipients receive $2,500, a gold medal and a trip to the Award ceremony presided by the Governor General. Their respective schools receive a cash gift of $1,000.

Deadline extended to April 22, 2013!
Rules & criteria, and nomination form >>

OTIP/OTF Teaching Award for Excellence
The Ontario Teachers Federation and the Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan Teaching Awards recognize and celebrate teaching excellence with three awards given each year to three outstanding teachers in the categories of elementary, secondary and beginning teacher.

Winning Elementary Teacher 2012
Jodie Lang, St. Paul’s Catholic School, Alliston (Grade 2)

Read her story >>






Deadline for nominations forms is April 5, 2013
Get award details, criteria and nomination form >>


OTIP post-secondary education bursaries
OTIP promotes post-secondary education for their members and their members’ relatives (e.g. child, step-child, grandchild, aunt, uncle, sister, brother, spouse, etc.) by offering twelve $1,500 academic bursaries every year. To be eligible, students must attending a Canadian college or university on a full-time basis for the upcoming academic year. Enter online https://www.otip.com/main/bursary.aspx , or contact the OTIP Bursary Program coordinator at 1-877-260-3892, ext. 2604 or at bursary@otip.com

OTIP Bursary entries are accepted until June 15 for the upcoming academic year.


Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence
The awards recognize educators who excel at unlocking the potential of Ontario's young people. 

Congratulations to OECTA teachers among the 2012 winners:

New Teacher of the Year

Sabrina Cicconi (née Spidalieri), Teacher, Monsignor Fraser College School (Isabella Campus), (Toronto Catholic District School Board)

Even though Sabrina Cicconi (née Spidalieri) is only a few years older than her students, she quickly earned their respect. Working at an adult alternative school with many at-risk students, she has rejuvenated their love for learning. Her creative teaching methods engage her students, resulting in dramatic improvements that inspire other staff at the school. Sabrina has also started a homework club, organized job fairs and leads a program that organizes teacher mentors to support students close to graduation — all while building on the diverse needs of her students.


Teacher of the Year Award

Jennifer Petahtegoose, Teacher, St. Charles College, Sudbury (Sudbury Catholic District School Board)

Jennifer Petahtegoose is a respected leader and champion for Aboriginal culture. She established the first Native Studies program in her school board as well as her school's first Native Studies Student Club. By organizing projects around Aboriginal traditions like Mishomis and Nookomis day (grandfather and grandmother day), she connects students with the larger Aboriginal community and helps instill a sense of pride in their heritage. Committed to helping others, she also started the “Be the Change” campaign, with proceeds going to the Red Cross to benefit the community of Attawapiskat.



Lisa Williams, Teacher, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, Chatham (St. Clair Catholic District School Board)

Lisa Williams innovates and inspires by using technology and unique learning materials in her classroom. Her puppet “Ruthie” is just one example: students teach Ruthie to read, which in turn helps them practise their own reading skills. Lisa has sent Ruthie travelling throughout the local community and across the world. Through Ruthie's letters and pictures, students learn about different places and the people in their community. In addition to her teaching and work on school improvement plans, Lisa coaches the school's cross country, track and field, and dance teams.




Lifetime Achievement Award

Anna Maria Morris, Teacher, Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School, Stoney Creek (Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board)

After 48 years, Anna Maria Morris still exudes a passion for teaching. She is an exceptional educator, a mentor to new teachers and a creative inspiration to her students. Anna Maria is responsible for all the drama productions at her school, putting on as many as four each year. She also acts as a student council advisor and arrives at school early to help students prepare video morning announcements.



Who is eligible for the Premier's Awards?

The awards are open to anyone who is employed by a publicly funded school or board/authority in Ontario. You can nominate teachers, support staff, principals and vice-principals, supervisory officers, directors of education and many others.


Award categories

There are eight different award categories, recognizing a range of people and skills.


Teacher of the Year

New Teacher of the Year
Early Childhood Educator of the Year

Excellent Support Staff

Excellence in Leadership

Team of the Year
Full-Day Kindergarten Team of the Year

Lifetime Achievement

Premier's Safe and Accepting School Awards
The Premier's Safe Schools Awards recognizes exceptional and innovative work being done in schools to create a positive, safe and caring school environment.

This annual awards program will recognize up to 10 ‘safe school teams’ that have done exceptional and innovative work in fostering a safe, inclusive and bullying preventive school environment. Every school across Ontario has a safe schools team that is responsible for school safety.  Teams include a student, parent, teacher, non-teaching staff member, community partner and the principal.

Congratulations to the OECTA 2012-13 award recipients

An existing school committee such as the healthy schools committee can add to their responsibilities and assume the role of a safe schools team.

Anyone in the school community can nominate a safe schools team for a Premier's Award, but a safe schools team can also nominate itself.

Nomination deadline is February 22, 2013
For more information and nomination forms, visit www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/award.html

Prime Minister's Awards
The 2011-2012 Prime Minister’s Awards – Call for Nominations.
Nomination deadline March 31, 2013

for Teaching Excellence
Nominate a special teacher who played a critical role in your child's life!

Go to http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/pmate-ppmee.nsf/eng/home
Download the nomination package today or contact us for a copy by telephone at 613-946-0651 or by email at pmaece-ppmepe@gc.ca




for Excellence in Early Childhood Education
Nominate an outstanding educator from your community!

Go to http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/pmaece-ppmepe.nsf/eng/home

Download the nomination package today or contact us for a copy by telephone at 613-946-0651 or by email at pmaece-ppmepe@gc.ca