School board award honours PECI teacher’s methods of mindfulness

Grade 2 teacher Teresa Mason, at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute, was one of 13 school board employees to receive the school’s highest recognition during an Inspiring Excellence Awards celebration.

The Hastings Prince Edward District School Board awards Inspiring Excellence Awards to employees who make significant contributions to student achievement and well-being through their commitment to, and leadership in, education.

Teresa Mason

“As a colleague, mentor and friend, I have had the privilege of working alongside Teresa for the past two years and I have witnessed firsthand how her leadership and dedication have made an indelible impact on both her students, and the broader educational community,” said Molly Jamison, also a teacher at the school.

“She has an innate ability to make every child feel seen, heard, and valued in her classroom… She welcomes students who by others are seen as ‘challenging’ and suddenly they blossom under her care.”

Jamison says all students who enter her classroom leave with a sense of belonging, a sense of trust, and a deepened belief in their own potential and this starts with Mason’s understanding of the importance of addressing students’ social and emotional needs, alongside academic development.

” She has implemented daily mental health check-ins in her classroom, which has become a cornerstone of her approach to fostering well-being. These check-ins allow students to express their feelings, seek support, and build a strong sense of community.”

Kate Lavender, a parent of a student in Mason’s class, agrees, supporting the nomination and further noting excellence in communication with both students and parents.”

“She genuinely cares about her students and takes the time to get to know each child’s individual needs… She fosters a culture of excellence where hard work, curiosity, and perseverance are valued and celebrated. My child has been encouraged to reach beyond their comfort zone, take risks, and grow both academically and personally… I have seen her take intentional steps to ensure that every child feels included, regardless of their background or abilities.”

Parent Laura Hryhorn also supported the nomination, specifically recalling an incident where she, as a volunteer in the classroom, witnessed several instances where the teacher works to keep communication open.

“One time, I arrived at the end of a math lesson. The children were handing in their papers, and Ms. Mason asked each of them their level of understanding as they handed it in—something along the lines of, “Got it, need to practice, or don’t get it at all.” For the children who said they didn’t get it at all, she said, “Hey, thanks for telling me, that’s what smart people do—they communicate in order to improve their situation. Now I know we have to work on this a bit more to ensure you get it.” The children gave high fives and left feeling confident even though they hadn’t grasped the theory yet.

“A large focus is placed on mental health and well-being in the classroom. After each recess, Ms. Mason would ask her class to take 10 minutes to get back in the ‘Green Zone.’ She’d have quiet music on, the lights low, and the children could sit with their heads down or lay on the floor. This helped them transition from the high level of energy at recess to a respectful learning environment.

“Ms. Mason is an incredible teacher and deserves to be awarded for the passion and compassion she puts into the learning environment she creates and each individual student she cares so deeply about.”

Inspiring Excellence Award recipients included: Crystal Ladouceur, Student Supervision Monitor, North Hastings High School; Michelle Parker, Teacher, Bird’s Creek Public School; Kerri Storey, Teacher, Maynooth Public School; Julie Newman, Learning Support Teacher, Frankford Public School; Sarah Boggett, Teacher, Bayside Secondary School; Kate Hanna, Assistant Secretary, Prince Charles Public School (Trenton); Jenn Corbett, Teacher, Frankford Public School; Peter Fong, IT Infrastructure Manager, Education Centre; Sarah Mayberry, Teacher, Trenton High School (Elementary); Jennifer Cotnam, Teacher, Trenton High School; Louise Gunning, Principal, Central Hastings School; and Tinneke Wilson, Learning Partner/STEM Coach, Education Centre. Absent for photo: Teresa Mason, Teacher, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute.

The HPEDSB staff named as recipients of the Inspiring Excellence Awards at a special Education Week event on May 7, were:
Sarah Boggett, Teacher, Bayside Secondary School
Jenn Corbett, Teacher, Frankford Public School
Jennifer Cotnam, Teacher, Trenton High School
Peter Fong, IT Infrastructure Manager, Education Centre
Louise Gunning, Principal, Central Hastings School
Kate Hanna, Assistant Secretary, Prince Charles Public School (Trenton)
Crystal Ladouceur, Student Supervision Monitor, North Hastings High School
Teresa Mason, Teacher, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute (Elementary)
Sarah Mayberry, Teacher, Trenton High School (Elementary)
Julie Newman, Learning Support Teacher, Frankford Public School
Michelle Parker, Teacher, Bird’s Creek Public School
Kerri Storey, Teacher, Maynooth Public School
Tinneke Wilson, Learning Partner/STEM Coach, Education Centre