Recipient's Name: Joel Vanco

School: Stewart Avenue Public School

Grade: A grade 7 and 8 all boys learning disabilities integrated classroom

Number of Years Teaching: 2

Joel says that he enjoys his job every day. He had three teachers that changed his life forever and he seeks to teach like they did, hands-on, no yelling and lots of positive encouragement. Joel notes that Stewart Avenue has a unique school population and that his students are not used to a male adult being a positive role model. He fights tears daily as his students respond to kindness with kindness, express appreciation of little things, dig deep inside to be successful and say that they enjoyed their day at school.

Joel's first career was in business. He found that he was not motivated in his office role so enrolled at teacher's college. He is so happy that he did and finds teaching to be a phenomenal career. He is never bored and learns daily about life from his students. A big chunk of Joel's day is spent building relationships with his students. They are coming from disadvantaged backgrounds so building into their lives towards success and enjoyment of life is equally as important as success in learning.

Mary Anne, a parent of one of Joel's students wrote these words of nomination:

Vanco. This name has now come up twice for two major subjects and the kids are engrossed in these classes. The buzz during Meet the Teacher Night, from other teachers, is Joel Vanco. Have you seen what he brought for class, have you this, have you that? He has made quite a mark already in his short time of teaching.

During the school year, I have not seen my grade 8 daughter's determination for math or science dwindle. The work and effort Mr. Vanco places into his homework, projects and tests, making them unique, customized and challenging to the students has not gone unnoticed. He goes out of his way in the morning to be at school early with his class door open, same during nutrition breaks and after school.

I truly believe Joel Vanco is reaching students in our school that would otherwise slip through or lose interest in these critical courses while challenging others to go further still. His enthusiasm and dedication goes above and beyond teaching as a job. I would like to thank Joel for having such a profound impact on my daughter's and the students of Stewart Avenues' education.