It is a special opportunity for graduating Queen’s students – the chance to recognize a high school teacher who inspired them to pursue their goals in higher education, and helped lead them to Queen’s.

This year, the university is honouring four teachers with the Baillie Award for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching. The recipients were nominated by their former students and will attend the students’ convocation ceremonies in May and June, where they will be honoured with the award.

The 2017 recipients are:

• Jennifer Behan, an English teacher and teacher librarian at Bear Creek Secondary School, in Barrie. Ms. Behan was nominated by Kate Allington, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies;
• Ryan Clement, who teaches dramatic arts at Loyalist Collegiate Vocational Institute in Kingston. Mr. Clement was nominated by Alina Farcas, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Drama;
• Ty Gailits, social science and art teacher at Courtice Secondary School in Courtice, Ont., and formerly at Clarke High School in Newcastle, Ont. Mr. Gailits was nominated by Emily Osborne, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Gender Studies;
• Gerald Krabbe, math teacher at Central Memorial High School in Calgary. Mr. Krabbe was nominated by two former students: Amy McKean, Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Physics, and Cayla Wolever, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology.

The award was established in 2006 by Queen’s Chancellor Emeritus A. Charles Baillie.

“We receive many nominations each year, illustrating the important and positive role that secondary school teachers play in inspiring their students to pursue higher education,” says Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Ann Tierney. “We are grateful to Mr. Baillie for his generosity in establishing this program to recognize excellence in secondary school teaching.”

Mr. Clement says he is honoured to have been selected for the award.

“The award itself serves as confirmation that the work that I engage in with students has left a positive imprint as they move forward and continue to evolve as individuals,” says Mr. Clement. “The Baillie Award has reinvigorated my commitment to ensuring that such learning opportunities continue to be offered to students, for when the learning environment is rich, the teacher continues to grow right alongside the student.”

For more information about the awards and past recipients, please visit the Division of Student Affairs website.