Recipient:  Jim Whattam

School: Lincoln Avenue Public School

Number of Years Teaching:  17

Grade: 8, Core and Computers

Jim identified his three daughters as his inspiration for teaching with excellence.  His youngest daughter has Downs Syndrome and he has seen teachers embrace her and individualize her program.  Other teachers have poured into the lives of his other two daughters.

Jim reads a lot on current education strategies.  He works to create programs that are new and meet the needs of his students.  One such initiative is a Boy’s Literacy Class that is structured for adolescent boys.  Jim recognizes that adolescence is a tough time for boys and he tells them this.  He reminds them that one day they will be men and that they need to have skills necessary for their career choices.  Jim brings in many role models who read so the boys can see that reading counts and that men do read! 

A great day for Jim is a busy one!  He said, “I love the three ring circus but I am ring master.”

One of Jim’s students nominated him for the award.  Zachary wrote:

Mr. Whattam doesn’t just talk at you when her teaches.  He’s an interactive teacher who encourages you to think and involve yourself in discussions.  He teaches with a lot of humour that makes learning fun.  If you disagree with his views, he’s good about discussing your ideas.

He teaches history with a lot of passion and his own life experiences as the son of someone in the Navy means he can share great stories about living in the Northern most part of Canada and going to school with Inuit kids.  He is not just teaching it but giving real life examples of actual people.  In math he takes extra time to help you understand if it is difficult for you.

Mr. Whattam is a teacher who makes you want to learn.  You want to think about what her teaches you because you know that he’ll listen to your ideas and he cares that you learn.