Recipient's Name: Bob Stalder

School: Galt Collegiate

Grade: 9, 10, 11 and 12 music

Number of Years Teaching: 25

Through teaching music Bob tries to instill both a love of and passion for music in his students. Bob believes that music brings much happiness and satisfaction into life and it is something students can take far beyond high school. Bob says that he didn't catch fire until he was in grade 11. In this significant year his band and music class experiences became a passion from which he has kept going and he hasn't wanted to do anything else since.

Bob loves seeing students find their passion. Working on a piece of music is difficult but when they have worked hard and then get to play for an audience there is a thrill that allows students to say the hard work and dedication was worthwhile. Through teaching music Bob gets to be witness to profound changes in his students. For many they do not like their voices and are uncomfortable with themselves. Bob creates safe spaces, moves them away from their anxieties, helps them take a risk, gives them opportunities and all of a sudden they are singing alone and they don't even know it.

One of Bob's students nominated him. Chad wrote:

In his three years at Galt Collegiate Mr. Stalder went from new kid on the block to one of the leading forces at GCI. He is one of the most involved teachers at our school and there are few events he doesn't attend. Mr. Stalder runs many clubs himself. He is known for staying after school to help anyone. He also supports a student run choir and without him I do not believe our dream of a student run choir would have blossomed as it did.

Mr. Stalder never stops short of perfection. He is always getting us to improve and try our best. Many days we have spent hours after school getting the best quality of sound. He always finds opportunities for us to perform whether it is in different schools, in the community or in Chicago. He is always there encouraging us when we did not think we could continue.

Mr. Stalder has been a driving force in helping me decide what I want to do in my life and I am grateful for him.