Teacher candidate Michael Triolo – an intermediate/senior French and biology student from York University’s Keele Campus – was awarded the Ontario Modern Language Teachers’ Association (OMLTA) Helen G. Mitchell Award.
Triolo received the award earlier this spring at the OMLTA’s annual spring conference in Toronto.
One graduating student from each Faculty of Education in the province who will be qualified to teach French or an international language is awarded with the Helen G. Mitchell Award, in recognition of their dedication to, interest in, and passion for second language teaching.
“We have nearly 60 teacher candidates graduating from York’s Faculty of Education with French, Italian, or Spanish as a teachable from both our Keele and Glendon campuses,” said York Course Director and OMLTA President James Steele. “Michael’s engagement with students during his school practicum and his continued commitment to second language learning make him a most worthy winner.”
More than 40 York teacher candidates also volunteered their time to assist with the conference, earning professional learning opportunities while still students at the Faculty.
“I’m thrilled that so many York students were a part of this year’s event,” said Steele, noting it was the largest group of student volunteers from any Faculty of Education by a wide margin.
A total of 650 French as a second language and international languages teachers from across Ontario gathered to attend the conference, the largest event of its kind in Canada. Attendees participated in more than 70 workshops and heard keynote speeches from second language educator Katy Arnett and Indigenous educator and co-author of I Am Not A Number Jenny Kay Dupuis.
The conference also provided networking and outstanding professional learning opportunities from experts in second language pedagogy from across the province.
“Being engaged in professional learning opportunities from a wide variety of sources is a key part of becoming a stronger, more well-rounded educator,” said Steele. “It was wonderful to have so many York students involved with OMLTA, which I hope continues for years to come.”