Timberline Teacher Awarded Regional Certificate for Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence

We are proud to announce that one of Timberline's outstanding teachers, Stephen Joyce, has been awarded the regional certificate of achievement for the 2024 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Stephen shares this honour with Carihi teacher, Natalie Raedwulf Pogue.

The Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence recognizes exemplary elementary and secondary school teachers across all disciplines for their innovative practices and dedication to student success.

The following is from the district press release recognizing Stephen's and Natalie's accomplishment:

“Both Stephen and Natalie exemplify the dedication, innovation, and passion celebrated by the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence. Their outstanding contributions not only enhance the educational experiences of their students but also inspire their entire school community. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and grateful for the positive impact they have on our schools,” says School District 72 Superintendent Geoff Manning.

Stephen Joyce: Bridging Classroom and Nature

Stephen Joyce, a high school teacher at Timberline Secondary, excels in merging classroom subjects with outdoor activities to help students connect the curriculum to the world around them. His background as a competitive telemark skier and park ranger enriches his teaching in subjects like social studies, outdoor education, English, geography, and comparative cultures for grades 9-12.

Stephen’s classroom is a unique blend of academic and natural worlds, featuring military uniforms, maps of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, and the stunning landscapes of British Columbia. His former students credit him with inspiring them through his passion for literature, history, and the outdoors, encouraging them to dream of a better world and to strive to make it possible.

A former student shares, "Steve has been one of my greatest role models and mentors… So much of my journey out of high school I owe to him. He shared with students the opportunities he had and the lessons he learned from traveling and exploring the world. He would implore us to have an open mind and open heart and tell us that if we could dream of a better world, then we could make it possible."