Recipient: Joseph Bell

School: Preston High School

Number of Years Teaching: 5

Grade: 10, 11 and 12

Subject: History, mainly Canadian History

 Inspiration/Motivation for being a teacher of excellence:

Joseph has taught at Preston High since the spring of 2000.  Prior to that he was the Junior Master at a private school in Scotland.  Joe enjoys working with young people in the role of coach and teacher.  He feels that everyday is a new day in the life of a teenager and the role of the teacher is to try to meet them where they are at.  He also enjoys helping senior students make sense of all the options that they are confronted with once they leave high school.

 Joseph’s nomination came from one of his students who wrote:

 Mr. Bell’s history class is not just “history class”, it is inspiration class, encouragement class, confidence class, enjoyment class AND history class, all taught by a first class role model and friend.  It isn’t odd to find Mr. Bell in full costume when you walk into the room.  He gives passion-filled lectures, heated debates, skits, role playing and continuous interactivity. He teaches with passion!

 Mr. Bell’s continuous encouragement and vote of confidence for his students sets him apart from teachers who simply teach.  Mr. Bell more than taught, he inspired.  He more than advised, he challenged and he more than cared, he believed.