Recipient: Jeff Brown

School: Hillcrest Public School

Grade: 5 and 6

Inspiration/Motivation for being a Teacher of Excellence:

Jeff’s father was a high school teacher who ended up being one of Jeff’s math teachers.  His father taught with excellence and integrity and was the example Jeff was following as he selected teaching as his profession.  Jeff’s wife is also a teacher of excellence and she continually raises the bar for Jeff.  Both Jeff’s father and his wife are inspirational teachers that give him a picture of the kind of teacher he wants to be…creative, energetic, caring and available for students beyond the walls of the classroom.

 The letter of nomination for Jeff from a parent shows that Jeff deeply cares for his students…

 “My son begins grade 5 in September 2000.  He is relatively new to the school, preoccupied with his short, thin stature, lacking self-esteem, feeling like an outsider and not confident in his social or academic abilities.  He has the fortune of being in Mr. Brown’s class for both Grades 5 and 6.  As he completes grade 6 the transformation he has undergone is unbelievable.  My son is now confident and with the help and example of Mr. Brown, he has addressed the key concepts of self, identity, autonomy, morality and intimacy.   Mr. Brown is not only an exceptional teacher and role model, but a person dedicated to helping others discover their true potential.”