Romy Cooper and Graeme Cotton are among seven remarkable educators across Canada who were nationally recognized for bringing 'history to life' for their students. The Vancouver teachers were the winners of the Governor General's History Award, a national prize for excellence in teaching history and social studies.

Both Cooper and Cotton were acknowledged for their work bringing the school's Heritage Fair to life. During their time at Gordon Elementary, both teachers worked with their students to design a curriculum that challenged students with critical thinking questions while allowing for dynamic project-based learning in order to meet the increasingly diverse needs of their student population. Click here to learn more about why Cooper and Cotton were recognized.

"These teachers encourage students to find their place in Canadian history by engaging them with primary sources, new technologies and hands-on-learning." Deborah Morrison, CEO of Canada's History Society remarked. "The Governor General's History Awards are a way to celebrate their exceptional work, while inspiring teachers from all across Canada to share, discuss and adapt creative approaches to teaching history." 

The Governor General's History Awards for Excellence in Teaching were established in 1996 by Canada's History to encourage innovation in history education. Every year, the award recognizes teachers from elementary and secondary schools who have inspired and challenged students to explore Canadian history in a unique, interactive atmosphere.