Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education

In 2013, Canada will assume the position of Chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. In conjunction with Canada’s Chair Year, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will present a special Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education.

This one-time award seeks to recognize excellence in Holocaust education, promote the application of pedagogical methods and teaching guidelines endorsed by the Alliance, and facilitate the sharing of innovative teaching ideas within Canada’s education community.

Award Details

The winner of the Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education will receive:

  • $5,000 to be reinvested into Holocaust education at his or her school;
  • a certificate of recognition; and
  • a trip to Toronto for an award presentation ceremony in October 2013.

Two runners-up will receive honourable mentions and certificates of recognition.

The best practices and learning materials of the top three candidates will be published on CIC’s website as a resource for other teachers.

Selection Criteria

Award nominees must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
  • Work as a teacher in a provincially or territorially accredited school;
  • Teach students from grade 6 to 12 (Elementary 6 to Secondary 5 in Quebec);

There are numerous pedagogical methods for facilitating Holocaust education across cultures and classroom settings. CIC will be guided in its selection by teachers that demonstrate:

  • Commitment to Holocaust education;
  • Age and developmentally appropriate teaching practices;
  • Knowledge and application of pedagogical good practices;
  • That their students:
    • Improve their knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust;
    • Develop an interest in learning about the Holocaust;
    • Are required to learn and apply both knowledge and skills in their study;
    • Experience a variety of educational and assessment strategies, resources and materials; and
    • Are actively involved in the learning.

A screening committee comprised of Holocaust educators and government representatives will review the applications to select top candidates. The Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism will select the final winner.

How to Apply

If you, OR a teacher you know, meet the eligibility and selection criteria, please submit the following information by email to Holocaust-education-award@cic.gc.ca:

  1. The nominee’s personal contact information
  2. The school contact information
  3. A statement of interest (max. 1000 words) describing:
    1. The nominee’s commitment to Holocaust education
    2. The project, classroom and educational environment
    3. The teaching philosophy and pedagogical approach
    4. The impact of the nominee’s educational practices on students
  4. The following supporting documents:
    1. Lesson plans
    2. Three examples of student work
    3. Two letters of support

All nominations must be submitted by May 15, 2013.

Please send completed applications or inquiries by email to: Holocaust-education-award@cic.gc.ca.

The winner will be announced in October 2013 at the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Conference in Toronto.

Related links