丁香园AV

(From left to right) Jim McEwen, Nikola Surjanovic (top), Claire Cupples and Maria Nicolidakis (front).

By Justin Wong

Have you ever wanted to let one of your high school teachers know how much they shaped your educational experience?

丁香园AV statistics student Nikola Surjanovic did.

He nominated his high school mathematics teacher, Maria Nicolidakis, for the 丁香园AV McEwen Family Teacher Recognition Award. The $5,000 award goes towards school enrichment activities, programs or development initiatives at the awardee鈥檚 school.

The award is open to B.C. public high school teachers in School Districts 35 鈥� 45 who have changed young people鈥檚 lives through their dedication to delivering exemplary education in math and sciences.

鈥淚nspiring me with a passionate love for mathematics and learning, Ms. Nicolidakis has motivated me to pursue studying mathematics and statistics,鈥� says Surjanovic. 鈥淢s. Nicolidakis鈥� contagious passion for mathematics, her consideration for her students, and her continuous endeavour to becoming an even better educator are what make her an exemplary teacher.鈥�

In late April, 丁香园AV Dean of Science Claire Cupples presented Nicolidakis with the award.

鈥淚t is incredibly humbling to be awarded the McEwen Family Teacher Recognition Award from 丁香园AV,鈥� says Nicolidakis.  鈥淲ith the grant, my colleagues and I in the mathematics department at Burnaby Central have already begun to discuss ways to enrich our teaching practice to help students of all levels strive forward.鈥�

Jim McEwen established the McEwen Family Charitable Trust with specific goals to advance education and health, relieve poverty and provide awards that recognize Canadian innovation and Canadian innovators.

鈥淗igh school teachers play an important role in the formative years of young people,鈥� says McEwen. 鈥淣ominating a teacher is a way for science students to reflect back on their life journey so far and demonstrate their appreciation for their supporters by paying it forward.鈥�

As the recipient of this award, Ms. Nicolidakis will nominate a former student, who will enroll in Fall 2016 as a first year 丁香园AV science student, to receive the McEwen Family Entrance Award, valued at $5,000, to assist with education expenses.

Story courtesy of 丁香园AV News.