Three dedicated teachers who inspired their students to achieve their goals have been named the winners of Humber Polytechnic's The Greatest High School Teacher contest for this year.
Kathy Kennedy-Aylsworth from Rick Hansen Secondary School in Mississauga, Carmelina Figliomeni-Crupi from Louise Arbour Secondary School in Brampton and Brad MacNeil from Stephen Lewis Secondary School in Mississauga were selected as this year's winners.
Humber's long-standing contest offers entrants an opportunity to win a $500 gift certificate from the Humber Bookstore while honouring a special high school teacher who went the extra mile to inspire them and their peers.
To enter, they needed to write a 500-word essay describing their greatest high school teacher along with completing the registration form.
Child and Youth Care student Emma Benford nominated Kennedy-Aylsworth. Benford said Kennedy-Aylsworth is the type of person and teacher that doesn't come along every day. In the supporting essay, Benford wrote that Kennedy-Aylsworth was a teacher who students could talk to about anything and not feel any judgement and that she was a great listener.
"When it comes to Kathy, she cares about her students," said Benford. "She puts in so much effort and time just to make sure that they're happy. I was going through a hard time - I was going down the wrong path - and she completely steered me away from that. She's kind and caring and in this world today it's very, very hard to find people like that."
"Anytime that I can make a connection or light a spark in a student that maybe is struggling academically, emotionally or socially to connect with them and provide them an opportunity to have success where they maybe didn't before motivates me and keeps me going," said Kennedy-Aylsworth.
Figliomeni-Crupi was nominated by Pharmacy Technician student Mathuya Ananthabrakasam, who wrote in the supporting essay that Figliomeni-Crupi makes learning memorable and helped nurture her students love of writing by managing the school's creative writing club.
"The thing that made Ms. Figliomeni-Crupi stand out from all the other teachers was her enthusiasm and her continuous persistence in bettering student's lives. She always goes above and beyond for her students," said Ananthabrakasam.
"We sometimes as teachers forget that we're not always going to be there. It's very much like parenting - you're supposed to prepare them for independence. So, when you see them take that step and not necessarily need you, then you've done your job," said Figliomeni-Crupi.
MacNeil was nominated by Culinary Management student Tessnim Abouisteite, who described him as being like a father figure and a person she could talk to about whatever was on her mind.
"Mr. MacNeil inspired me because he helped me become a really outspoken person. He supported me during high school with anything I needed and I know to this day if I do still need support I can go to him," said Abouisteite.
"To have them share their personal story, their lives, their culture and their faith openly, I learn so much from them. To be part of that journey excites me and keeps me young," said MacNeil.
The winning teachers received a plaque commemorating the honour. In addition to the award, the winning teachers will also get to choose a current high school student to receive a full tuition scholarship to Humber in their name.
