Steven Deighton, a teacher at Frontier School Division's Joseph H. Kerr School in Snow Lake was one of six excellence in teaching award recipients who were recognized in a special ceremony at the Manitoba Legislature on April 17.

The awards were presented by Education Minister Nancy Allan as part of national Education Week, a week-long tribute to teachers.

Deighton received the Teaching Excellence - Senior Years award, which recognized his promotion of "practical learning through student connections to the physical, human and economic geography of their northern Manitoba mining community," said a press release describing the recipients.

The Snow Lake teacher's physical education classes include winter camping and wilderness survival, and his students have researched the processes and effects of local mining operations in his science classes. Deighton's students have also created projects such as Reach for the Sky, in which they expressed their hopes and goals on plaster casts of their arms, as part of his art classes.

Deighton also serves as the Zone 11 president with the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association and as a member of the Frontier High School Games Committee, capacities in which he has organized numerous zone and Frontier Games regional championships in various sports.

"Deighton's exemplary community service and encouragement for students to become involved demonstrate his commitment to providing meaningful educational experiences and lifelong learning," read the press release.

The five other award recipients were Sharen McDermit (David Livingstone School, Winnipeg School Division; Teaching Excellence - Early Years),  Barbara Hamilton (École Seven Oaks Middle School, Seven Oaks School Division; Teaching Excellence - Middle Years), Rosanne Massinon (Carman Collegiate, Prairie Rose School Division; Outstanding New Teacher), Adrian Deakin, April McKnight and Robert Striemer (Shaftesbury High School, Pembina Trails School Division; Team Collaboration), and Gordon Campbell (École Saint-Avila, Pembina Trails School Division; Outstanding School Leader).

“The recipients of these awards are exemplary professionals who are passionate about learning and inspire the best in students and the teams they work with,” said Allan in a press release.  “These awards recognize their creative, innovative and effective teaching practices and achievements as educators.”

The award-winners receive a certificate of recognition and $500, while their schools receive $500 each for projects or equipment.