ARCHIVED—Recipient Bios
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Year: 2000 – Province: Ontario
Certificate of Achievement Recipients
Rita Ménard
School: École Marius-Barbeau
1345 Nottinghill Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1V 6T3
Principal: Jean-Claude Richer
School Telephone: 613-737-4404
Grades/Subjects Taught: Grades five and six, all subjects
Teaching Approach:
- Make sure students always understand the "how" and the "why" of whatever is being taught - grammar rules, a scientific phenomenon, how to lay a table, speaking skills or manners.
- Emphasize valuable learning skills, such as listening and comprehension, and creativity, a positive attitude and adaptability.
- Involve the student in his or her learning but also the student's family and the greater community.
Outstanding Achievements:
Organized and led many years of successful theatre and musical productions. Turn outs are high, and students from all levels - grade one to grade eight - participate.
A master of improvisation, Mrs. Ménard has a special gift for getting community leaders and organizations to donate time and money to support school activities. She has, for example, convinced local merchants to support the annual theatre and music productions.
Consistently helped alienated and lonely students to interact better with their peers and to improve academic performance.
Showed special leadership in a multicultural school, encouraging students from various backgrounds to take pride in their identity and convincing ethnic organizations and embassies to support her efforts.
Rave Reviews:
"When children attend a class like Madame Rita's every day, a class where confidence and stability prevail, they cannot help but develop their skills at every level." Fellow teacher
"It must be said that Mrs. Ménard excels in the art of storytelling. In a packed gym, she only has to open her mouth to obtain silence and attract everyone's interest." School administrator