Recipient:  Diane Thompson                       

School: Galt Collegiate

Number of Years Teaching: 25      

Grade: 9 through 12 phys. ed

When asked what inspires her Diane quickly responded, “the kids!”  She says that she never wakes up not wanting to go to school.  She enjoys the kids’ enthusiasm, energy, their uniqueness and the way kids from different religions, cultures and life experiences work together.

Diane loves being fit and being a role model for healthy and active living.  She looks to her students’ futures and works hard to help them learn how they can be healthy for life.  She loves when she sees past students coaching, competing and playing.  She realizes that they liked it enough in high school to keep active.

An important part of Diane’s teaching is coaching where she gets to develop kids.  She coaches at least two seasons a year.  From coaching she has learned that kids love to learn and be motivated to move to different levels of playing.  Coaching also gives her the opportunity to be involved in her students’ lives.  They have ‘big’ life discussions with her and she seeks to steer them in helpful and healthy directions. 

Diane’s principal Jane wrote this about Diane:

Diane Thompson is truly a teacher of excellence.  As a teacher of physical education Diane inspires her colleagues in her department to provide programming which motivates students to make choices for healthy living.  At GCI our phys-ed department, of which Diane is the head, provides a variety of courses to reach both elite athletes and students who need encouragement and motivation in the area of physical fitness and activity.  Diane has mentored a number of staff to incorporate many aspects of a healthy lifestyle and physical fitness into their program. 

As a teacher and coach Diane has the unique ability of being able to inspire and nurture excellence as well as encouraging the participation of staff and students who may lack confidence.  As an educator Diane exemplifies optimism, dedication and integrity.  She is well respected and well liked by her colleagues, parents and students.

I know that every school has someone who is the heart and soul of that school, whose spirit and commitment inspires others.  At GCI Diane Thompson is that person.