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EXCERPTS
Ryerson's Early Learning Centre educators received a Prime Minister's Award of Excellence in Early Childhood Education for its groundbreaking and progressive work in early childhood education. From left: The Hon. Bob Rae, MP, award recipients Leslie Cunningham, Maurice Sweeney and Sally Kotsopoulos, manager, Early Learning Centre.
The Honourable Bob Rae, MP recently presented Certificates of Achievement for the 2007-2008 Prime Minister's Award of Excellence in Early Childhood Education to two distinguished educators at Ryerson University's Early Learning Centre (ELC). Leslie Cunningham and Maurice Sweeney were honoured for their outstanding work in early childhood education and commitment to giving children a good head start in life and success in school.
"It's wonderful to see Ryerson being recognized," Rae said. "These Awards are a tribute to everybody - to the people who received the award, to the Early Learning Centre and to Ryerson for being a leader in childhood education since the 1960s."
The Award honours outstanding and innovative early childhood educators who excel at fostering the early development and socialization of the children in their care, and at helping build the foundation children need to meet life's challenges. Both Cunningham and Sweeney were nominated by their colleague Kim Watts. To be considered, nominees must excel in: support of child development; innovation; involvement with parents, families and the community; and commitment and leadership in the field.
"We're delighted to have Bob Rae present this award to the Early Learning Centre. It demonstrates how excellent the facilities are and is a testament to the exceptional work at the School of Early Childhood Education," said Usha George, Dean, Faculty of Community Services.
Ryerson's Early Learning Centre is a nationally and internationally known child care facility. The ELC provides an exemplary model of early childhood education for children from ages three months to six years. The central focus of the ELC programs is active learning through children's interaction with development-based activities.
"This Award acknowledges our commitment to delivering the highest quality of education and care for young children at the Early Learning Centre and recognizes the excellent team of teacher preceptors that work at the Centre," said Debbie Chant, professor, School of ECE.
The Early Learning Centre serves as a lab school for ECE students providing them with valuable placement experience and an opportunity to develop skills in observation, curriculum development and research in childhood learning under the mentorship of ECE faculty. The ECE is the oldest school of its kind in Canada.
"I feel very fortunate to be working with and learning from a very dedicated and knowledgeable group of colleagues. I'm proud to be associated with the School of Early Childhood Education and an institution such as Ryerson University that believes in the importance of the development of young children in child care," said Cunningham, who's also an alumna from the School of Early Childhood Education.
"The Prime Minister's Award is important because it shows that we as early childhood educators are respected as teaching professionals. Our program challenges children to grow, learn and develop in a fun and exciting environment," Sweeney said. "The success of receiving this Award highlights that Ryerson University exemplifies teaching excellence through the School of Early Childhood Education, the faculty and the Early Learning Centre."
- reprinted from Ryerson University