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Ralph McCall teacher Brian Jackson shows off his Prime Minister's Pin, which flew on the final Space Shuttle mission STS-135 aboard the shuttle Atlantis. The pin was awarded to him as part of the Prime Ministers Teaching Awards, Nov. 21.

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Local teacher recognized by Federal governemnt

Brian Jackson is a sixth grade teacher from Ralph McCall School who recently received a gift from the Federal government and MP Blake Richards.

Jackson was awarded the Prime Ministers Teaching Awards, Certificate of Achievement by Richards in a ceremony at Ralph McCall, Nov. 14.

The Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence honours outstanding K-12 teachers, who strive to use technology to instil a love of learning in their students.

“This is a huge honour,” said Jackson. “I am really humbled. I don’t want to belittle what I do, but I am just a teacher. I teach because I love what I do. I am surrounded by so many great people who do great things in and out of the classroom.”

Jackson teachers math and science to students Grades 6 to 8, but is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to infuse his passion for space into the curriculum.

“It makes things a whole lot more fun. There is no doubt that space education is my passion, and to find ways to integrate it into every aspect of the curriculum is great,” said Jackson. “I love what I do. I think as long as (students) are having fun, it’s more than just a job. When we really have fun with the kids, we are more effective in our everyday work.”

Richards said Jackson’s enthusiasm is something that makes him a great teacher.

“We are all influenced by teachers we have had in life,” said Richards. “What he has done over the years is encouraged his students to broaden their horizons, even beyond our earth. He cares about his students and loves his job.”

Jackson received an extraordinary gift from the Federal government. In addition to his certificate and prime minister’s pin and a personal letter from Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield, he was given a framed version of his certificate with a second prime minister’s pin which flew on STS-135 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, the final mission flown by NASA’s space shuttle fleet.

“That one absolutely nailed me,” said Jackson. “It absolutely floored me.

Jackson was one of only 67 teachers in Alberta who was recognized. Richards says the men and women in the school system are extremely important to the country as a whole.

“As we all grow up, we have had many teachers. But those teachers we have in our school systems have an influence on our learning and our curiosity,” said Richards. “To award teachers who inspire students is a very fitting thing to do.”