Vancouver school board celebrates teachers on World Teachers’ Day

Teachers notice when a student needs encouragement. They may explain a difficult concept another way, create opportunities for students to discover new interests and help young people see possibilities they have not yet recognized. The Vancouver School Board (VSB) says these moments happen every day in classrooms across Vancouver. On World Teachers’ Day, it is celebrating teachers’ role in supporting student learning, well-being and belonging.

Teaching ranges from building foundations in literacy and numeracy to hands-on learning, encouraging creativity and helping students gain confidence to try something new. VSB teachers have received provincial and national recognition for their work in classrooms and school communities. Mike Hengeveld, a teacher at Templeton Secondary, has been recognized nationally for his work in STEM education and project-based learning. VSB has shared [more about STEM learning at Templeton and Hengeveld’s approach](https://www.vsb.bc.ca/general-gordon/after-the-bell-ep-19-project-based-learning-and-public-use-of-vsb-fields.72990).

At Britannia Secondary, Trevor Stokes and the Streetfront alternative program team received a Premier’s Award for Excellence in Education for their collaborative approach to supporting students. VSB has also shared [more about the Streetfront alternative program and its impact](https://www.vsb.bc.ca/celebrating-the-streetfront-alternative-program.69995). These are two examples of how teachers across the district create meaningful learning experiences and support students in reaching their potential.

Teachers’ impact can continue long after students leave the classroom. Each year, VSB awards two teacher recognition scholarships worth $2,500 each to graduating students. The scholarships recognize students who have contributed positively to their school communities and maintained a strong academic record. They also offer a chance to reflect on teachers’ role in students’ educational journeys and celebrate relationships that help students learn, grow and succeed.

On World Teachers’ Day, VSB recognizes all its teachers for the knowledge, care and commitment they bring to classrooms and school communities every day, and thanks them for helping students learn, grow and discover what is possible.