Recipient's Name: Sue Patterson

School: Galt Collegiate

Grade: 10, 11 and 12 chemistry and biology

Number of Years Teaching: 9

Sue believes that each student has a gift and that this gift won't always show up on a test paper. She seeks to get to know her students by listening and talking to them about what is going on in their body, mind and spirit. She forms relationships with her students so that she can comment on their strengths beyond science class, especially the strengths they may not be observing in themselves. She tells her students to set their sights on where they want to be and then helps them to find their way there.

Sue never wanted to be a teacher yet everything she did ended up with her teaching. While working in the food safety industry as a chemist and microbiologist her co-op students kept telling her she should be a teacher so she went to teacher's college and hasn't looked back. She finds teaching to be the best and most satisfying career. She loves the 'light bulb' moments students have when they see science applying in their real world.

Sue acknowledges that half, maybe 3/4s of this award is her husbands as she would not have returned to Teacher's College without all his support and encouragement.

Sue's student Christy took the time to write these words about Sue:

The criterion for nominating a teacher for this award is an understatement when it comes to Mrs. Patterson. She does not only motivate she helps show students the potential they didn't think they had. Sometimes to get the idea of success and potential through a teenager's head it takes a special person; that person is Mrs. Patterson. She consistently incorporates everyone, valuing every student's opinion. No one is afraid to ask a question or make a mistake.

I can't think of any one I would rather have teach me, not only about science but about life, about achieving my full potential and about setting attainable but challenging goals. She's taught me that anything I want in life, if I want it bad enough, I can achieve through hard work and dedication. Mrs. Patterson just cares; she cares about her students, their future and their understanding of material. No student is just some kid to Mrs. Patterson, every student is the face of our tomorrow and I feel Mrs. Patterson is doing an outstanding job shaping us into a future I think I'll be proud to be a part of.