Tamanawis 'Darling' teacher earns PM's achievement award

A Tamanawis Secondary teacher who inspires her students to push themselves both academically and ethically has won a Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

Debbie Darling, who teaches grade 11 and 12 Honours and Advanced Placement chemistry, was one of seven B.C. teachers to receive the Certificate of Achievement regional distinction.

“Our Tamanawis graduates who attend university send their words of appreciation to Mrs. Darling every year, which is truly one of the greatest compliments a teacher can have," notes Tamanawis principal Margaux Molson. "The graduates remark on how well prepared they are for higher learning as well as how inspired they are to pursue the sciences."

Darling introduced the first advanced placement class at Tamanawis, and the university level program has since expanded to include calculus and world history in addition to chemistry.

The Certificate of Achievement is a regional award that comes with a financial award to support professional development for the recipient.

The Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence program honours teachers across the country who instill in their students a love of learning, helping them excel and build a successful future. There are two categories: the national Certificates of Excellence and the regional Certificates of Achievement.