New Myrnam School teacher receives Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM

MYRNAM – A junior/senior high school teacher from New Myrnam School has received the Prime Minister’s Award (PMA) for Teaching Excellence in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The award was handed out on Oct. 3 in Ottawa.  

The PMA for Teaching Excellence in STEM is a national-level award for elementary and secondary school for teachers, recognizing their “commitment to preparing their students for a digital and innovation-based economy,” according to the Government of Canada. 

Robert Tymofichuk, a teacher and assistant principal with New Myrnam School, received the award. According to information from the federal government’s website, Tymofichuk spearheaded and successfully concluded projects that gave not just the school, but the Village of Myrnam “pride and motivation.” 

Tymofichuk’s approach to education bridges theory and practice, according to the information. This includes designing and implementing projects students can relate to. His approach also includes preservation of the environment with initiatives like New Myrnam School’s Renewable Energy Program. 

Another project related to  Tymofichuk’s vision of environment preservation include construction of a sustainable greenhouse. 

Tymofichuk began teaching at New Myrnam School in 2018. 

He has helped guide students to design a solar tracking array system, a wind turbine, and a biofuel reactor connected to a generator, to investigate “which form of renewable energy” to recommend to the village’s Career Education Centre. 

In a Sept. 28 federal government news release, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that educators play a foundational role in children’s lives by helping them grow into thriving adults. 

“During my time as a teacher, I met so many outstanding educators who dedicate their lives to inspiring the next generation of leaders in classrooms right across the country,” stated Trudeau. “To the teachers and educators we are recognizing today, I would like to say thank you for everything you do and congratulations.” 

St. Paul Education (SPERD) also congratulated Tymofichuk for the PMA in Teaching Excellence in STEM on Sept. 29.

More to come...