Kristin Check, a kindergarten and special education teacher at Fairfield Elementary School, and Dave Axford, a communications technology teacher at LCVI have been selected by Trustees of the Limestone District School Board as this year’s recipients of the J.C. McLeod Excellence in Teaching Award.
This “teacher-of- the-year” award recognizes the outstanding contribution of individual teachers to classroom instruction or the improvement of classroom instruction, over a number of years. This award is presented to one elementary teacher and one secondary teacher on an annual basis.
Kristin Check has a wealth of experience in the area of special education. Kristin has immense experience working corroboratively on multi-disciplinary community teams in order to support improved student achievement. She has taken on a number of important roles over the last several years with the Board’s Educational Services Team, and is viewed as an expert with unparalleled skills and knowledge throughout the district, and province.
In September 2011, Kristin returned to her first love, classroom teaching. As the Senior Kindergarten/Grade 1 teacher at Fairfield Elementary School, Kristin has demonstrated excellence in every facet of the role. She has created an inclusive, caring and supportive classroom environment where every one of her students feels valued and important. Kristin has successfully met the needs of a diverse group of learners and has enable every student to experience success, and takes great joy in celebrating their achievements, no matter how small.
Dave Axford, or ‘Ax’ as he is so affectionately known by his students, is a master educator who recognizes the achievement, effort, and potential of all learners at LCVI, not only his students but the teachers and the administration as well. His contributions to the academic success of the students, to the promotion of student philanthropy, the arts, and parent engagement are exemplary.
Dave is a highly skilled practitioner who understands that what is most important is to engage students and provide them with real world, hands-on-learning experiences. Dave is highly regarded throughout the district as an expert in his field as well as his caring, patient and skilled approach to instruction. Dave Axford’s focus program ‘Studio LC’ is in high demand and has produced more than one up and coming film maker. Dave retires at the end of the week, celebrating 17 years of exemplary teaching.
The J.C. McLeod Excellence in Teaching Award was named for Mr. J.C. (Colin) McLeod, who was the Director of Education for the former Lennox and Addington County Board of Education from 1969 to 1983. He recognized and rewarded excellence in teaching throughout his time as director. Recipients receive an honorarium which is donated in their names to their schools for the purchase of resource materials and their names are included on a large plaque at the Limestone District School Board Education Centre, 220 Portsmouth Avenue, Kingston.
This year’s recipients will be honoured by their respective schools during graduation ceremonies this week, and Trustees will honour both recipients at their November 2012 Board meeting.
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Release source: Limestone District School Board
