It Is An Honour

Last November one of the teachers in my school told me that

she was nominating me for an award,

What an honour that she thinks so highly of my work.

Thank you to Jan Smith, LIsa Scheck (my principal) and several

parents (from my program) that worked together to put

an intensive nomination package together.

About a month ago I got a call from the Prime Minister's office

informing me that I was picked to receive the award.

It was very exciting but I couldn't tell anyone except my family and 

the nominating group.

I thought I was going to pop!

Plans were made and we headed to Ottawa.

My husband and I arrived early so we had time to explore.

Our hotel was across the river from the Parliament Buildings.

We rented bikes and cycled along the canal.

During the whole trip we were treated very well.

Right from the start the hotel had this delicious welcome waiting for us.

All the recipients met at a reception to learn what would happen over the next two days.

We included ten teachers and five Early Childhood Educators.

We did a short practice and received our pins.

The next morning we met and each shared a short presentation 

on our 'best practices'.

Mine was called "Imagination Builds Community",

about our Fairy Lane project.

Then we were off to the awards ceremony at the

Museum of Nature.

It was a lovely, intimate gathering.

A children's choir began by singing O Canada.

Then the Prime Minister thanked us for our hard work

and dedication, sharing that this award is special for him to

present as he was a teacher too.

The individual presentations came next.

We each had a video to introduce us.

Oh my, what can I say other than the smile didn't leave my face the whole time.

Even when I got a selfie with him.

Or during all the pictures.

The ceremony ended with a group of aboriginal children singing.

A moment I will keep for a long time.

The next morning we spent on parliament hill,

having a tour of the library and

sitting in on question period.

I so appreciated getting to know the other recipients,

sharing this honour and supporting each other.

A big thank you to my husband, Raymond, for being with

me on this wonderful adventure.