Letter from the Prime Minister

As Prime Minister of Canada, I meet people of influence every day, but rarely do I have the opportunity to meet a group of people who have such a significant influence on our youth. I had that chance at the fifth national awards ceremony in honour of the 1997 Certificate of Excellence winners of the Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence. Teachers play an extremely important role in preparing young people and, therefore, Canada for future success, and I am excited to be personally involved in this program.

With the help of our corporate partners, the Prime Minister's Awards honour teachers who have best prepared students for the challenges of a changing society and knowledge-based economy. The achievements of all recipients are celebrated in their schools and home communities. Certificate of Excellence recipients also come to Ottawa to celebrate their achievements at an awards ceremony, visit sites of interest to educators, and exchange best practices for the benefit of themselves and other Canadian teachers. This Exemplary Practices publication is an educator's resource. It consists of award-winning ideas that 1997 recipients shared with each other during their time in Ottawa.

You may be able to utilize some of these ideas in your own classroom. Perhaps they will sow the seeds for even more innovative, exciting projects.

I extend my sincere congratulations, once again, to all of the 1997 recipients of the Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence for their professional dedication and success. Thank you for your contribution to Canada.

Ottawa
1998