A New Westminster Secondary School science teacher’s passion for science and teaching has been recognized nationally.
Darren Ng has been recognized with a Prime Minister’s Award, receiving a Certificate of Achievement in Teaching Excellence in STEM.
“I feel very honoured and humbled,” said Ng, who has taught in the New Westminster school district since October 2018. “I’m extremely grateful to my students – we wouldn’t be here as educators without you – and my fellow teachers for their friendship and support.”
Ng is the sole award recipient in British Columbia and one of 17 teachers nationwide celebrated by the PMA for their contributions to education within their province and across Canada. (You can see what Ng has to say about the award – and see an experiment in action – in this New West Schools' video here.)
A news release from New West Schools states that in order to be selected for an award means the PMA committee deemed a nominee to have excelled in five areas: digital and creative literacy in the classroom; innovative and exemplary teaching practices; support student success and skills development; global citizenship and community involvement; and commitment and leadership.
Ng, together with his education assistant, Lauren Davis, have worked together for five years as co-instructors in a course called Science for Citizens 11.
Ng said it’s a practical, hands-on senior Science course that has high enrolment from students who have previously struggled with traditional, academically focused junior science courses. Ng said he serves as the science teacher and Davis “serves as a most capable and excellent educational assistant.”
Davis championed the effort to nominate Ng for the award and put in the work required to submit his name for consideration.
“We – myself and our students – know Darren is an excellent teacher,” Davis said in a SD40 news release. “I felt everybody else should know that, including not only our school, but our greater community.”
In addition to his regular teaching duties, Ng leads an after-school club called, The Science Ninjas where students engage in hands-on activities and experiments designed to explore basic scientific principles.
“This large club of over 200 NWSS students is run by a dedicated team of Grade 10 to 12 students, upon which I have the great pleasure of being their teacher sponsor,” he said in an email to the Record. “My job with the club is to train the student leaders to safely set up and execute very engaging science demonstrations with their peers.”
Two other New Westminster Schools administrators joined Davis in submitting recommendations during the nomination process.
“What prompted me to nominate Darren was his passion and dedication to teaching,” said Patricia Pain, the district’s curriculum facilitator for mentorship and instructional practice. “He imprints good human qualities on his students and models what kindness is, what passion is, and what being someone’s champion looks like.”
Miriam Schellenberg, vice principal at New Westminster Secondary School, said Ng is an engaging educator.
“He goes above and beyond to support students of all abilities,” she said. “I can count on him to include students of all abilities in his work. It was easy for me to help nominate Darren because he’s absolutely the type of person who deserves recognition for his achievements.”
In 2021, Ng won the inaugural Gordon Gore Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching, which was presented by the B.C. Association of Physics Teachers.
Prime Minister’s Awards
Now in its 30th year, the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence has honoured more than 1,800 extraordinary elementary and secondary school teachers of all disciplines since 1994.
The Certificate of Achievement in Teaching Excellence in STEM celebrates outstanding science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers who help develop innovation in Canada.
“Canada’s educators are a lot more than just leaders in the classroom – they’re also incredible mentors, coaches, counsellors and supporters for our children and grandchildren,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a news release. “During my time as a teacher, and ever since, I’ve met so many teachers who dedicate their lives to inspire the next generation. Today, as we applaud the 2024 award recipients, we celebrate our educators, support their work and thank them for their contributions to making Canada even better.”
This year’s Prime Minister’s Awards, announced today, include a number of categories, including: Teaching Excellence; Teaching Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); and Excellence in Early Childhood Education.
“This year holds special significance as it marks the 30th anniversary of the awards, carrying on the tradition of honouring educators who devote themselves to Canada’s next generation,” said the Government of Canada news release. “Each award recipient has demonstrated creativity in their approach to education, inspiring both students and peers to strive for excellence.”
According to the news release, award recipients are determined based on a rigorous two-tier selection process undertaken by over 180 volunteers from the education and early childhood education communities across Canada. This year’s award recipients were chosen from among 115 nominations across the country.
