Recipient:  Alexa Liebregts

School: Preston High

Number of Years Teaching: 19 years - 9 at Ryerson University, 10 at High School level

Subject: Visual Art and Photography

Grades: 9 through 12

Alexa introduces her students to photography and visual art as powerful tools towards social change.  Her students begin dialogues with art as a tool for communication.  Alexa’s motivation is the link to real life for kids. She moves her students from learning out of a text to learning in meaningful ways.  One way she does this is by forming links with students across the world using art as a way of learning about each others’ lives.  She delights in knowing that high school students are leaning from and listening to other students across the world - learning to tell others’ stories through photography and art.  Alexa sees the importance of students learning by being immersed into another culture and learning through the lens of a student across the globe.  She sees the end product as “so great!”  The students have a much bigger view of where they fit into the world.

Alexa believes that teaching needs to be relational.  She forms relationships with her students based on common interests and goals.  She supports them in their dreams and daily living and keeps in touch with them after they leave her classroom.  Alexa loves her students and her subject.  She says, “A teacher is nothing without great kids!”

Three of Alexa’s student nominated her for this award.  Anne, Kendra and Laurel wrote these words:

Ms. Liebregts has proved to be a very important part of the Arts, the school and our lives.  As our Photography and Art teacher she has encouraged us to strive for our best work.  She knows there isn’t enough time during class, so the art room is open every Tuesday and Thursday lunch and after school.  Ms. Liebreghts is there to coach, demonstrate, and support our efforts. 

She spearheaded a very successful cross-cultural project with the Soweto Marimba Kidz.  They came to Ontario.  She arranged for each kid to have a disposable camera and told them to take images of what they thought Canada was.  We interviewed each student about their pictures, and then pick the photo that had the most powerful story.  We framed them and hung them at the Ferguson Cottage in downtown Cambridge.  Next year we are doing a large installation piece for the Homer Watson Gallery.  Mrs. Liebregts has made contact with 30 schools across the world.  Each senior art student will be asked to connect with one of those schools and become penpals using art as the connection point.

Ms. Liebregts deserves this award because she has impacted communities not only in Cambridge, but around the world.  She always goes the extra mile.  She’s more than a model teacher to us; there’s a true friendship.  She’s a perfect role model.  We don’t think we know a student who doesn’t like Ms. Liebreghts.