Recipient: Judith Naylor                  

School: Preston High School

Number of Years Teaching: 12

Grade: 10, 11 and 12

Subject: Technological Design

Twelve years ago, Judith Naylor moved from teaching in industry to teaching in high school.  Presently she teaches grade 10, 11 and 12 Technological Design (previously known as drafting!), art, co-op, special ed. and a yearbook course at Preston High School.

When asked why she teaches, Judith replied, "I do it for myself.  I get bored and restless teaching the same thing so as I change and learn, I make my courses better.  Teaching allows for my quest for continuous improvement."

Judith enjoys her time with the special education population.  She will take high need kids that others have not wanted and let them know that they are people too!  She doesn't see the gap between her and her students but simply sees them as people who do things differently and need some relationships.  She loves to see her students learn and provides many opportunities for success.

As a child, Judith moved to a house with a blackboard in the laundry room so she taught the washer and dryer all she knew!  Today she loves her role as teacher to the next generation of adults and she supports them on their journeys to success.

Jeanette, an Educational assistant who has worked alongside Judith for ten years wrote:

In the last ten years, Judith Naylor has been a constant support to the Lifeskills program.  Judith has offered her skills, her warmth and her ability to assist with these students' special and diverse needs.  She has been relentless in offering her help with this program.  She opens her own doors at lunchtime so this special group has a place that they are familiar with.  In doing so, the students are less likely to be targeted in the school. 

She takes her own spares, and uses them to teach the students how to knit, sew, suggests recipes, helps with community placements, and all on her own time. 

Judith is an outstanding teacher, and goes out of her way to make life that much better for lifeskills students.  Each of the students in my classes have asked for her to come into the classroom.  It is not her job, but she does it because of the kids.  Because of the students sometimes limited abilities, Judith has managed to focus on their gifts and has worked to further enhance these by allowing the students to excel at what they are best at.  She has captured their hearts and enlightened their spirits.  A constant reminder of what can be.

To close, I will add, that over the past ten years, students have returned for visits.  Each one of them have asked to see Judith to show her how well they have done.