A teacher at a Flesherton elementary school is receiving recognition for his exemplary work in the classroom and beyond.
Grades 4 and 5 Macphail Memorial Elementary School teacher Tyler Boyle is one of 10 teachers in the province to earn a Certificate of Achievement as part of the 2020 Prime Minister’s Awards For Teaching Excellence.
Boyle was nominated by colleagues, former students and parents who collaborated to help celebrate his work as a leader and role model in the classroom and community.
“Teaching for me has been something I’ve always loved, and not necessarily delivering the actual curriculum,” Boyle says. “My calling has always been about relationships and creativity. This is an opportunity for you to be an influencer and change maker for the better in people’s lives.”
According to a statement from the Bluewater District School Board, Boyle is an artist, dancer, and professional speaker who gives back to local and global communities in numerous ways.
Many of his classroom teachings have incorporated the use of costumes, music and dance to allow students experiential learning opportunities that are both fun and memorable.
In the community he has offered art therapy at a youth addictions centre, raised funds for the food bank and continues to support a summer camp for children with cancer.
According to the Bluewater District School Board, Boyle’s teachings have also brought him to several Ontario First Nations communities, and various women’s programs in Kenya and Cambodia.
Boyle is an advocate for mental health and safe schools. One of his noted accomplishments in that regard is co-founding the Dreamwalkers Meditation Club — along with fellow teacher Janet Gracey.
The pair launched a YouTube channel that features “Mindful Minutes” videos that are utilized now in 75 per cent of Bluewater District School Board elementary schools.
Boyle also facilitates mental wellness workshops to students at various schools, conducts regular Character Education assemblies at Macphail and has been invited to speak at TEDx Collingwood.
Boyle was also the 2020 Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Local Humanitarian Award winner for his work supporting children in the local community.
Other achievements highlighted by the Bluewater District School Board
- Created historical film: students wrote and performed in a film about life in 1913 that was screened at a movie theatre in a nearby town; several students went on to further drama studies.
- Developed the board-wide P.L.U.S.+ (Pause, Listen, Understand, Support) program: the program fosters open conversations with at-risk youth, leading to less frequent office visits and quicker conflict resolution.
- Organizes annual school-wide Literacy Week: activities have included a game show, book shares and a celebration of Canadian literature.
- Coordinated school plays and musicals: productions often involved more than 30 students and raised thousands of dollars for the school’s arts program
