Each year, the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence celebrate educators who go above and beyond to create learning experiences that empower young people to think critically, explore new ideas, and reach their full potential.

In 2025, five Toronto District School Board educators were among those recognized for their exceptional work. From robotics and digital storytelling to culinary arts and environmental stewardship, these teachers show the many ways innovation can thrive in classrooms. Their stories demonstrate the transformative power of education to uplift lives, foster community resilience, and equip students for success in an ever-changing world. 

Chey Cheney and Pawan Kaur Wander - Beaumonde Heights Junior Middle School 
Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence - Certificate of Excellence 

At Beaumonde Heights Junior Middle School, Chey Cheney and Pawan Kaur Wander have transformed what teaching looks like by blending technology, creativity, and critical thinking. Their approach empowers students to take ownership of their learning and amplify their voices through innovative projects that go beyond the classroom. 

From podcasting to artificial intelligence, Chey and Pav use digital tools to create meaningful opportunities for students to share their stories and explore identity. Student-led podcasts like Bear Cave and What’s in a Name? give learners a platform to take risks, push beyond their comfort zones, and refine ideas into content they are proud to share. “Our podcast journey has been one of the spaces and avenues we have taken to bring light to the genius and joy of our students,” they explain. “Watching students’ sparks of excitement ignite as they press ‘record’ and hear their own voices through the headphones is truly electrifying.” 

Their impact extends across the TDSB as Digital Lead Learners, mentoring educators and helping schools integrate technology into instruction. Chey and Pav work with educators to demonstrate how supported digital tools can bring creativity and student voice to life through audio and video editing, graphic design, and more. “Our passion for digital tools stems directly from the immense successes we have seen with our students,” they explain. “As teachers, we want students to be excited about learning, taking risks, iterating, and sharing.”  
 
Read Chey and Pav’s full Prime Minister's Award profile.  

Keith Hoare – Thistletown Collegiate Institute 
Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence – Certificate of Achievement 

Keith Hoare has spent nearly two decades transforming lives through culinary education, mentorship, and community service. His Thistletown Collegiate Institute classroom operates like a professional kitchen, where students learn teamwork, advocacy, and business skills while preparing meals for school programs and community events. These experiences give students confidence and practical skills that open doors to future opportunities. 

Keith’s excellence goes far beyond the classroom. From hosting the Chef’s Harvest Party, which brings 30 top chefs and hundreds of guests to the school, to organizing holiday shelter dinners and charitable fundraisers, students are learning the value of hard work and global citizenship. “The projects we have undertaken in our Hospitality and Tourism program have provided students with the chance to set big goals, work towards them, and then see them come to fruition,” he explains. The 2023 BIG COOKOFF event was a perfect example, which involved students and chefs preparing more than 5,000 meals in a single day for shelters and food banks. 

Keith’s impact extends beyond the TDSB—and even beyond Canada—through the international travel program he launched in 2011. “We have successfully fundraised 75 per cent of the costs of all seven of our international excursions,” he says. “The big payoff is students who never imagined rolling through the Amalfi Coast or visiting the Alhambra make it happen through their dedication.” 

Read Keith’s full Prime Minister’s Award profile. 

Stephen Wong – Northern Secondary School 
Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence – Certificate of Achievement  

Stephen Wong has transformed STEM education at Northern Secondary School by building a thriving robotics program and creating spaces where students see themselves as innovators and leaders. His approach combines technical expertise with creativity and collaboration, giving students the confidence to take ownership of their learning and explore new possibilities. 

Stephen’s impact begins in the robotics lab he helped design and launch, repurposing a storage room and fundraising for equipment like 3D printers and a laser cutter to create a hub for hands-on STEM learning. “It has been inspiring to see students take ownership of the space, develop advanced technical skills, and grow as confident leaders and teammates,” he explains. The Knight Owls robotics team now includes more than 60 students and reflects Northern’s commitment to inclusive programming that welcomes learners from all backgrounds and experience levels. 
 
Beyond the classroom, Stephen champions STEM education across the TDSB. He has created STEM opportunities for elementary students and broader communities through robotics outreach events, inspiring the next generation of innovators. “I see every opportunity as a way to build capacity, foster belonging, and spark curiosity,” Stephen says. He also mentors educators across the TDSB, helping schools develop robotics and STEM programs that celebrate collaboration and creativity. 

Read Stephen’s full Prime Minister’s Award profile. 

Julie Found – William Burgess Elementary School 
Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM – Certificate of Achievement 

At William Burgess Elementary School, Julie Found creates learning experiences that connect well-being, reconciliation, and environmental stewardship. Her approach blends STEM with art and Indigenous knowledge, giving students opportunities to explore big ideas through hands-on projects that build confidence and curiosity. 

Julie’s work includes initiatives like the pollinator garden, which continues to provide rich learning opportunities. She helped students secure a $1,500 PollinateTO grant to expand the school garden with pollinator-friendly plants. “The pollinator garden has been, and continues to be, a great opportunity for hands-on learning about plants as well as a space for learning about the importance of nature in Indigenous culture,” she explains. Students explore the Don Valley, study native plants, birds, and insects, and learn about the land’s history, deepening their understanding of sustainability and community care. 
 
Her interdisciplinary approach also inspires projects like the canoe design challenge. “By exploring the Indigenous process of boat building, students were given an opportunity to understand the skills required to build a boat by hand and the importance of these skills being handed down through generations,” Julie says. The class learned where traditional materials such as birch trees and animal skins come from and how Indigenous peoples show respect for their environment. These experiences help students appreciate the land they live on while developing STEM skills in creative and meaningful ways. 
 
Read Julie’s full Prime Minister’s Award profile. 

Congratulations to this year’s Prime Minister’s Award recipients! Your leadership and creativity continue to inspire students and colleagues across the TDSB and beyond.  

Nominations for the 2026 Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence, Teaching Excellence in STEM, and Excellence in Early Childhood Education are now open. The deadline for submitting a nomination is January 14. Learn more by visiting the Prime Minister’s Awards website.