The Bank of Canada Museum is honouring two outstanding educators for their exceptional work teaching students about the economy.

Philippe Bélanger-Leroux from École secondaire Toronto Ouest in Toronto, Ontario, and Kimberly Orr from St. George’s School in Vancouver, British Columbia, received the Museum’s third annual Award for Excellence in Teaching Economics.

The Museum received nominations from across the country. A jury made up of Bank of Canada staff and experts from non-profit organizations and government agencies in the fields of economics and education reviewed the nominations.

This year’s middle school recipient, Philippe Bélanger-Leroux, combined literature and economics. When discussing the novel C’est ici que tout a commencé! by Franco-Ontarian author Liliane L. Gratton, Philippe focused the discussion on pay equity and helped his students gain a clearer understanding of this economic injustice and how it persists today. He then organized a classroom career fair where students calculated wages based on gender statistics. The activity helped the student better connect with the idea of pay equity and develop critical thinking both socially and economically.

The high school recipient, Kimberly Orr, got her students to organize a school-wide business plan competition. Inspired by the CBC television program Dragons’ Den, students identified market needs then researched and developed solutions. Kimberley was with them every step of the way to mentor them and guide their progress. Local entrepreneurs judged the competition, which generated enthusiasm throughout the school. Kimberly created an interest in economics in her students while inspiring them to consider careers in business.

“This year’s award recipients provided the jury with truly innovative approaches to economic education,” said Deputy Governor Sharon Kozicki.  “What stood out to us was Kimberly’s ability to create an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning with an activity that energized the whole school and Phillipe’s creative connection of literature and economics. Making economics memorable is a key educational approach that both these teachers excel at.”

Each winner receives $1,000 and a gift basket of items for their class. More information on this year’s winners is available on the Museum’s website.

Nominations for next year’s award will open later this autumn.

Notes to editors

• The Bank of Canada Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, is the only museum in Canada focused on economic and financial literacy.
• The Museum explains how the Bank sets monetary policy, promotes a sound financial system, issues Canada’s bank notes, acts as fiscal agent for the Government of Canada and supervises Canada’s retail payments system.
• The Museum supports teachers and students through free school programs, lesson plans and activities available on its Learn page.
• For more information about the Museum and its services, visit the website.