Recipient: Janis Bruce

School: Clemens Mill Public School

Grade: 1

Inspiration/Motivation for being a Teacher of Excellence:

Janis describes her students as “her bright lights”.  She encourages her students to always do their best and believes that young children learn best when there is tons of affirmation and lots of incentives.  Janis rewards her students regularly with “hip hip hoorays”, handshakes of congratulations and encouragement such as “You are today’s super reader”.  She loves reading and focuses on the importance of reading in her classroom by making available many different genres of books and by giving students the opportunity to win books.

Janis’ nomination came from a parent.  She wrote:

 “Although I only knew her from informal meetings at the school, I could see her glow and love of children.  I knew my son would have a good year with Mrs. Bruce as his grade one teacher.  Indeed, after only a few days my son fell in love with her gentle manner and warm spirit.  She guided her pupils rather than pushing them.  Grade 1’s are all at different points.  She could appreciate them all; and direct them to where she wanted them to be…Her love of language and of learning was contagious.  The many hours of work she did in preparation for her school day was obvious to any adult; but the children were only interested in today…what was to be done today."