Local history teacher, Orford, receives Governor General History Award

November 21, 2013 · 0 Comments

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, honoured teachers, along with other outstanding Canadians, for furthering an interest in and understanding of Canadian history and heritage, at the Governor General’s History Awards ceremony, at Rideau Hall, on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.

The 18th Governor General’s History Awards honour exceptional achievements in five areas: teaching, scholarly research, popular media, museums, and community programming.

Amoungst those receiving The Governor General’s History Awards for Excellence in Teaching was Neil Orford from Centre Dufferin District High School, Shelburne.

Also receiving this prestiogeous award was: Rachel Collishaw – Glebe Collegiate Institute, Ottawa, Ontario; Romy Cooper and Graeme Cotton – General Gordon Elementary School, Vancouver, British Columbia; Matt Henderson – St. John’s-Ravenscourt School, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Lucie Jean-Mercier – Académie Lafontaine, Saint-Jérôme, Quebec; and Catherine MacDonald – Fr. L.J. Austin Catholic Secondary School, Whitby, Ontario.

The Governor General’s History Awards were first established in 1996, by Canada’s National History Society, to recognize excellence in teaching Canadian history. Since the creation of the awards, over 100 teachers have been honoured at Rideau Hall and at the Residence of the Governor General at the Citadelle of Québec. In partnership with Canada’s leading national history organizations, including the Begbie Society, the Canadian Historical Association, the Canadian Museums Association, and the Historica-Dominion Institute, the Society has worked to expand the awards to recognize the many different ways history is taught, communicated and celebrated by Canadians. The Governor General’s History Awards now provide an annual opportunity to bring together museums, community organizations, writers, historians, students, teachers and media producers to celebrate Canadian history and to learn from one another.

For more information about these awards, visit www.canadashistory.ca/Awards