Digital Arts Teacher Recognized with PM’s Award

October 14 2011

Campbell River, BC, October 14, 2011?Hon. John Duncan, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North today announced that an educator from Vancouver Island North was awarded a Certificate of Achievement as part of the 2010?11 Prime Minister?s Awards for Teaching Excellence.

?I am thrilled today to acknowledge the outstanding contribution to learning made by Mr. Dave Coad,? said Mr. Duncan. ?With the children and youth of Vancouver Island North benefitting from his passion and creativity, Canada?s future is in good hands.?

?We have been tracking Dave?s programs for years,? comments Joan Miller, Director for the Campbell River Creative Industries Council (CRCIC). ?He has worked tirelessly to provide his students with tools, software and lesson plans that laid a foundation for them to transition into the world of digital art, animation and interactive game development.?

?Dave Coad is a valuable role model and leader in our community,? says Mayor Charlie Cornfield. ?He identified an opportunity for his students and began building the programs which today place students from Campbell River in the envious position of being ahead of the curve.

?Over the years Dave has been on the cutting edge of utilizing technology in the personalization of education for Campbell River students. He has tirelessly and selflessly worked to put Timberline Secondary and School District 72 on the map as a leader in 2D and 3D computer animation and has opened the door for countless students to realize that computer graphics and animation can be a viable, exciting career path,? said Tom Longridge, Superintendent of Schools for School District 72.

The award recipient from Vancouver Island North is as follows: Mr. Dave Coad, Timberline Secondary School, Campbell River, BC

This year, 58 Certificates of Achievement were presented to educators at all levels, from preschool through to secondary school. All recipients have been recognized as leaders who have been exceptionally innovative in helping students excel and young children get the best possible start in life.

The Certificate of Achievement award is worth $1,000 and is given directly to the recipient. The school in which the award recipient works also receives a certificate recognizing its support of, and contribution to, the educator?s achievement.

Industry Canada delivers the Teaching Excellence awards program on behalf of the Prime Minister, in partnership with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. Research In Motion Limited and the RBC Foundation are corporate partners of the program.

Information on all 2010?11 award recipients, along with guidelines and nomination forms for the 2011?12 Awards, can be found on the Prime Minister?s Awards website (www.pma.gc.ca).