Awards
Nominate Someone You Know for the 2008 Ophea Awards
 
Do you know someone you would like to see recognized for their contribution to the fields of health, physical activity, and health and physical education? Take this opportunity to nominate deserving individuals for one of the 2008 Ophea Awards. The four awards include:
- Ophea Award of Distinction,
- Ophea Award for Outstanding Contribution
- School Community Award
- Outstanding New Professional Award

The 2008 Ophea Awards will be presented on Friday, October 17th, 2008 at the Ophea Kids’ Health Conference.
 
To learn more about the Ophea Awards or to download a nomination form, visit: 
http://ophea.net/awards.cfm ]www.ophea.net/awards.cfm

****************************************************************************************************************************

 


Ian McGlynn
Ministik School
Moose Factory Island District School Board

Some background information about Ministik School:
It is the only provincial school on the island with 94% of the students being of aboriginal descent. The goal of the school is to honour the traditions and teachings of the Cree culture across the curriculum, and to reinforce the skills and knowledge of the elders in three seasonal Outdoor Education opportunities for all Junior/Intermediate students (approximately 150 children).

Ian McGlynn has co-ordinated this extensive program for the last ten years. Under his guidance, it is being integrated and aligned with provincial expectations in all curriculum areas. In addition, the physical challenges of wilderness travel and setting up camp require that he, the co-ordinator, demonstrate personal ability in a broad range of bush-craft, physical endurance, and first aid skills to meet any difficulty. As well, many of the teachers are not of native ancestry, nor are many of them from the James Bay area. Thus a major role for Mr. McGlynn is the orientation of new teachers to allow them to present the prerequisite skills effectively and accurately, and to understand the value and honour of traditional teachings within the school and community.

A colleague writes, " all the teachers in the Junior/Intermediate Division and the Cree Language Department wish to honour Ian McGlynn for his years of dedication to enhancing this vital program, for stepping into the leadership role with little fanfare and carrying it on for many years with little formal recognition. We believe him to demonstrate many of the best qualities of an educator: clarity of purpose, ability to lead by example, patience and quiet humour to help the learner, adult or child; to persevere until a task is successfully completed and celebrated."

Congratulations to Ian!