Harriet Simand

Year: 2010-2011 – Province: Ontario

Certificate of Achievement Recipient

The Bishop Strachan School
298 Lonsdale Road
Toronto, ON M4V 1X2

Principal: Patricia MacDonald
School Tel.: 416-483-4325
School Email: strachan@bss.on.ca
School Website: www.bss.on.ca

Subjects and grades taught: Math, Science, Social Studies and Literacy for grade 6

Teaching approach

It’s a world of possibilities in Harriet Simand’s grade six classroom. With a background as a human rights litigator, Ms. Simand teaches her students to look for passion and make things happen. Her students think critically about projects and don’t just complete them, but get invested in them. As students are encouraged to develop their own plans to make a difference, they discover as they learn and impart their knowledge to each other.

Outstanding Achievements

• Ms. Simand inspired her students to advocate for a ban on plastic bags throughout the city of Toronto. The Ban the Bag Brigade even made it to a presentation in front of the city council and received a  congratulatory letter from Mayor David Miller. Check out the project at www.Banthebagbrigade.wikispaces.com
• Ms. Simand introduced Lego League Robotics to her class of grade six girls and entered their project in the Lego League Robotics Championships. They won two major awards and have since advanced to the provincial finals.
• Ms. Simand initiated a mentoring program with a grade one class. Her students are paired up with a buddy and help them with reading, writing and math. 

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