Year: 2017 – Province: Saskatchewan
Transcript—Andrea Regier Video
[Andrea Regier speaks to camera, with the Parliament buildings as a backdrop behind her]
[Photos of Andrea and her students are displayed on screen throughout her interview]
[Upbeat music plays softly in the background]
I'm Andrea Regier, and I live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and I teach at Bishop James Mahoney High School.
[Text on screen: Andrea Regier, Saskatchewan]
The reason I became a teacher was because I am passionate about science, and I love to share that passion with my students. I had some incredible teachers in high school, and then in university as well, particularly in physics. And they inspired me and made me love the subject, and now I hope to be doing the same for my students.
My presentation today was on the best practice of including fun, informative feedback for students and for teachers in order to inform teaching and instruction. Through the inclusion of games and goal setting and reflection, the classroom can be a more exciting place for students to be. But also, part of it is the work that we have done with partners, educational partners, through the building of our school greenhouse, through the outside gardening that we have done. This year we're also launching the Health and Sciences Academy at BJM High School, which is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan. And so through all of that, I think it has helped me to become a better teacher, and hopefully a better experience for students as well.
If I had one piece of advice for aspiring educators or beginning teachers, I would tell them that it does involve a lot of hard work but that there's nothing quite like the reward that comes from inspiring students, and that if they end up teaching what they're passionate about, they'll never have to really work a day in their life.
[Video footage of Andrea receiving her award from Justin Trudeau is intercut]
I feel honoured and affirmed and very encouraged to be able to be a recipient of the award. I also am humbled as I spent this time amongst some amazing teachers from across Canada.
Well, I would like to give a shout-out to all of my current physics and health science students, who inspire me every day and ask great questions and make me love my job.
Student: Ms. Regier has taught us just through her teaching that doing what you're passionate about and doing what you love really makes a difference in how it's reciprocated from the other people that you're teaching, and then also just how happy you are doing your job every day. And it really shines through in her work.
[Canada wordmark]
[Music ends]
Certificate of Excellence Recipient
Bishop James Mahoney High School
231 Primrose Drive
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 6Y3
Principal: Kim Pasloski
School telephone: 306-659-7500
School email: bishop_james@gscs.ca
School website: www.gscs.ca/studentsandfamilies/schools/BJM
Subjects and grades taught: Grade 9-12, Physics, Science
With flowers in their teeth and Argentine music in the air, Andrea Regier's students dance the Transcription and Translation Tango in the cafeteria as they plot out the steps of protein production in the cell. From creative games and music in the classroom, to challenging educational experiences in state of the art research facilities, this science teacher has her students reaching great heights.
Teaching approach
Regier's approach has been described as refreshing, engaging and innovative. With thematic music always playing in the background, she understands the importance of motivational tools and games to teach complex concepts and theories. Regier helps her students stay organized and teaches them effective study and time management skills.
Outstanding achievements
- Brokered a partnership with the local conservation group to have her students maintain the reclaimed prairie that is the schoolyard. Students contribute to the data bank and produced a video to raise awareness about species preservation.
- Regier's students were the first ever high school students to be involved in scientific research at the University of Saskatchewan's synchrotron facility. With educational consultants, First Nations Elders and facility researchers, students learned to respectfully sample from nature, design procedures and analyze data.
- Established the Green Guardians Club that started a school-wide composting program and holds regular events to reduce waste and promote recycling. Regier also partnered with local businesses and organizations to create a water collection system and a school garden designed by local landscape architects.
- Led students to success at Biology Olympiads, with herself sitting on international exam juries in Australia, Belarus and China.
Rave reviews
"Andrea does an exceptional job of going so far above and beyond what is expected and takes students out of the classroom and into experiencing science in action in the world."
"As a counsellor at the school, I often hear 'Please can I be in Mrs. Regier's class,' or 'She's the best teacher I've ever had'." Her classes have continually shown creativity, ingenuity, passion and knowledge that has transferred to her students."