Recipient: Jason Hertner

School: St. Anne's Catholic School

Number of Years Teaching: 9

Grade: 7 and 8

Subject: all

Jason Hertner has been teaching for 9 years.  He spends his days at St. Anne's school teaching grade 7 and 8's.

Jason chooses to teach at a school where a large population of the students come from disadvantaged situations.  He believes that when the students don't have as much as in other schools, the teacher can make a huge difference.  Jason uses humour and teaches with passion because he really loves his job.  When his students believe in themselves after he has believed in them for so long, it makes teaching all worthwhile.

To get to know the students he spends a lot of time coaching them, giving them opportunities to succeed.  He also keeps in touch with past students and uses their success stories to motivate his present students. 

Jason knows the importance of coming to the classroom each day with a clean slate.  Tomorrow is another great day waiting to happen!

Jason's nomination came from Dawna, an Educational Assistant at St. Anne's.  She wrote:

This year I had the opportunity to work with an inspirational teacher, Jason Hertner.  In a classroom with such diverse abilities, Jason is able to influence and encourage each student's strength, enabling them to build confidence and self-esteem.  He constantly reminds his students "You are what you dream". 

Jason always gives students opportunities for success.  When students needed proper shoes for track, Jason "hunted" down good running shoes for each person.  Jason is a teacher who leads by example.  He runs with the students during Phys. Ed and track and displays the type of role modeling parents hope to have their child exposed to when they  send them to school.  He doesn't ask of the students anything he is not willing to do himself. 

As a teacher, Jason is faced with many conflict situations.  He is always calm, insightful and fair to each and every student.  He always strives to keep the dignity of the child intact, even in the most troubling situations.  Jason does all of this quietly and without a need for recognition; a reason he deserves to receive this award.