Teachers can have a lasting, positive impact and graduating students at Queen’s University are able to acknowledge the support they received from their high school teachers thanks to the Baillie Award for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching.

Each year during spring convocation, Baillie Awards are presented, following a nomination and selection process. The award was established by Chancellor Emeritus A. Charles Baillie and provides undergraduate students in their graduating year the chance to honour educators who have had a decisive and formative influence on them.

“The Baillie Award for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching is a wonderful opportunity for graduating students to honour a high school teacher who supported them on their path to higher education at Queen’s,” says Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs. “The university is grateful to Mr. Baillie for establishing this program in recognition of the positive influence that so many secondary school teachers have on their students.”

One of this year’s recipients is Marina Westbrook, an English and drama teacher at Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville, Ont., who was nominated by Charlotte Orzel (Artsci’15). Ms. Orzel says she applied the writing, analytical and critical thinking skills she learned from Ms. Westbrook throughout her time at Queen’s and credits her former teacher with igniting her understanding of the importance of storytelling in life and society.

“Whenever someone asks why I study film, I don’t tell them about my favourite director, a formative viewing of Bergman, or even a compelling lecture from Film 110,” Ms. Orzel says. “Instead, I tell them about my high school English teacher.”

This year’s recipients also include:

• Francesco Malfitano, Physical Education, Religion, and Geography teacher at St. Joseph’s College School in Toronto, nominated by Jennifer Taylor, (Sc’15)
• Brian Rowe, History, Canadian and World Studies teacher at Brock High School in Cannington, Ont., nominated by Joshua Jones (Artsci’15)
• William Code, Chemistry, Science and Music teacher at West Carleton Secondary School in Dunrobin, Ont., nominated by Hailey Ventola, (Artsci’15)
• Andrew Culberson, Independent Study teacher and Guidance Counsellor at Fredericton High School in Fredericton, N.B, nominated by Alisha Virmani, (Artsci’15)

More information about the Baillie Awards is available on the Student Affairs website.