Occupation: Teacher, George Harvey Collegiate Institute

Contribution: Remember that one teacher that all the guys loved and the girls wanted to be? That’s Tracey Haynes. The multi-talented Ms. Haynes (as she’s referred to in the classroom) teaches social sciences, history, civics, and international law and credit recovery.

Educational Inspiration: “I have often wondered why teachers become teachers, and the most common response is “they had great teachers.” I had some amazing teachers. The teachers that we remember tend to be those who were not only passionate about their subject areas, but related to their students.

One’s life must be balanced so while you are teaching, I think that it is equally important to enrich your practice by following your dreams and passions that are a part of your life outside of the classroom. I often tell my student teachers that maintaining a balanced life improves one’s pedagogy, as you can draw from various experiences and make connections for your students. Then students see that their teacher has various interests and a well-rounded life.”