OTTAWA, Oct. 4, 2012 /CNW/ - Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced yesterday the recipients of the 2012 Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Early Childhood Education. The Awards were presented at a ceremony in Ottawa ahead of World Teachers' Day on October 5, 2012.

"Good teachers help lay the foundation with which we interpret and navigate the world. They make a valuable contribution to Canadians being among the brightest and most innovative citizens in the world," said the Prime Minister. "It is a real privilege today to honour educators who have imparted their knowledge and inspiration to us and our children, helping all of us become the best we can be."

The Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence honour outstanding elementary and secondary school teachers who, through the innovative use of information and communications technologies in the classroom, help students develop the knowledge and skills to succeed in the digital economy. The Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education honour exceptional early-childhood educators who help build the foundation that young children need to make the best start in life.

This year, Awards were given to 94 teachers/educators from across Canada, 27 of which travelled to Ottawa to receive their Certificates of Excellence (national-level) from the Prime Minister and attend three days of celebratory and professional development activities. In addition to those Certificates of Excellence, 67 Certificates of Achievement will be awarded at a regional level.

Five special awards honouring Aboriginal educators were also presented, as well as eight special awards for space science educators.

A list of all Teaching Excellence award-winners for 2012 can be found at http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/pmate-ppmee.nsf/eng/wz01957.html, while a list of Excellence in Early Childhood Education award-winners can be found at http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/pmaece-ppmepe.nsf/eng/wy00489.html.

For additional information on the Prime Minister's Awards, visit www.pma-ppm.gc.ca.

SOURCE Delta Media Inc.

Image with caption: "Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence recipients at the Science and Technology Museum, Ottawa - From left to right: Julie Lade, Greig Bell, Jean-Marc Perreault, Johanne Morin, Adrian Deakin, Marie Chomyn, Robert Striemer, Carmen Gassi, Tanya Leary, Kristy Kilpatrick, Jonathan Rempel, Jeffrey Cieszecki, Christina Cox, Dave Coad, Denise Amyot (President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporations), April McKnight, Harriet Simand, Lisa Kresky (CNW Group/Delta Media Inc) (CNW Group/Delta Media Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121004_C4209_PHOTO_EN_18871.jpg

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