Howard PS teacher earns top marks

[attach]1693[/attach]For Eddie Ing, being an educator is not just about teaching math or science.

It’s about leading his students through positive experiences inside and outside of the classroom.

A grade 5/6 teacher at Howard Jr. Public School, Ing was presented with the Premier’s Award for Teaching Excellence for his leadership skills.

“Receiving the Excellence in Leadership award for the province of Ontario hasn’t changed me in any way,” he said of the May 5 honour.

“I think I am blessed that parents let me borrow their children every day for five days and instill in them the best that I can offer.”

Still, the experience has been a humbling one for him.

“It is positively overwhelming,” he said.

Ing began his teaching career 12 years ago at Howard and in those dozen years, he has coached every sport the Roncesvalles Village school offers.

“I was blessed to grow up in a family where there was never a need to be provided for,” he said. “I remember as a young boy or when I came back from university, my mom and dad would have people over for dinner. They were local people that needed some place to go,” he said.

This childhood experience taught Ing the importance of helping families who were less fortunate than his own.

A decade ago, Ing began an initiative called the Holiday Hamper, which helps families who were new to Canada or who struggled financially through the holiday season.

“Us teachers got together to recognize families that may benefit from the program,” he said. “We got local communities to donate money or food vouchers from the local grocery store,” he said. “Families would benefit from clothes, food, or presents found under the tree.”

Thanks to help from the school’s parent council the initiative became a success.

Ing’s initiatives continued within the four walls of the school.

He’s involved in the school’s Playground Buddies program which deals with bullying among classmates.

“We came up with a list of acceptable behaviours and once a week, we met and talked about difficulties,” he said.

“I am all about kids taking ownership of their learning and responsibility for their actions.”

Several people, including his colleague Susan Adams, nominated Ing for the award in leadership because of his dedication to students and leadership abilities.

“He goes above and beyond his professional duties to help others.”

Ing and his family provided Adams with support during a family crisis by providing meals, taking care of her children, and being a good teacher to her son.

For Ing, his career path is just where he wants to be.

“What I’m really passionate about is helping kids and families who are struggling,” he said.