Recipient's Name: John Malnerich

School: St. Benedicts Secondary

Grade: Student Success Teacher

Number of Years Teaching: 13

John believes that all students can learn if you can find the right pathway for them to learn on. On a daily basis John interacts with students who need extra help in finding their way to success--students who are struggling with life both inside and outside of school. He sees his role as doing whatever he can to help students become their best whether that means calling them in the morning to get them out of bed and into school, providing a safe place for them just to come and say 'hi' and talk about what is going on in their lives, advocating for them with their other teachers and administrators and celebrating both the big and small victories they have.

John teaches with a 'never quit attitude'. He will do whatever he has to to help his students. He models to his students to give life their best. He seeks to build relationships with them that are based on fairness and respect. He is always there for them and his student population appreciates knowing that there is a caring adult who has their backs. With John's students books are secondary. What is important to John is building up their character, accountability, life skills and the ability to succeed in life.

One of John's colleagues nominated him. Ildi wrote:

John Malnerich respects all of his students and in turn they respect him. He never judges them. His enthusiasm for teaching cannot help but rub off on the students. The students know that he will stand behind them and support them. In turn they also know that he has expectations and they are willing to meet them. John tries to find the students' strength and uses that as a strategy to help them become successful. .

John has high expectations of all students. He challenges them to keep taking that extra step. With each success the students build on confidence and self esteem and begin to believe that they have the ability to achieve their goals no matter how small or how big they are. He makes students feel important and valued and they learn to be proud of themselves. John doesn't believe in giving up on any of them, no matter how they fight learning and school. He is a wonderful teacher and colleague and is supportive to all.