Tamara DeFord has been named Outstanding Elementary School Teacher for 2019-20 by the BC Association of Mathematics Teachers. (Photo Courtesy, SD57)

By Veronica Beltran

teacher wins award for dedication

College Heights Elementary teacher recognized for her passion teaching numbers to students

Jul 3, 2020 | 11:48 AM

PRINCE GEORGE—A Prince George teacher is being recognized for her teaching skills.

Grade 5-6 teacher at Prince George’s Ecole College Heights Elementary, Tamara DeFord has been awarded the Outstanding Elementary School Teacher award for 2019-20, by the B.C. Association of Mathematics Teachers (BCAMT).

In order to be chosen for the award teachers are judged on their strength in numeracy, teaching, innovation, curriculum, assessment practices, professional learning and mentorship.

“It seems pretty crazy.”—Tamara DeFord, Grade 5-6 teacher , Prince George’s Ecole College Heights Elementary

“I always think that 11-year-olds are really great at keeping you humble because I certainly don’t feel like I go into the classroom everyday and have things work out perfectly. But it is nice to be recognized for work that I’ve put in to learn about becoming a better math teacher and how to make math more exciting for kids, which is something I feel really strongly about,” said DeFord.

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DeFord has worked at Ecole College Heights Elementary for three years, however, has worked in the School District for 13 years; teaching at Quinson Elementary, Pineview Elementary and she spent time in the district’s Learning Innovations department, now known at Curriculum and Innovation.

“I spend a lot of time planning for things that will be interesting and engaging for my students. I want them to know that math is more than just calculations, that math is all around us in the world and that it can be really fun and really creative.”—Tamara DeFord, Grade 5-6 teacher, Prince George’s Ecole College Heights Elementary

DeFord will usually have her students work in groups which encourages them to tackle tough problems together. One of her favourite activities with her students is something she calls “Number Talks,” something she starts most of her classes with.

“I pose a problem for the kids and they have to come up with a way to solve it in their heads—so working on their mental math skills,” said DeFord. “It’s a really great way for kids to see that everybody approaches problems in a different way. I give them a few minutes to think about the question and then I have students share their strategies—how did they solve it, how did they approach the problem?”

DeFord was nominated for the BCAMT Award by Marie Fanshaw, District Numeracy Resource Teacher with School District 57. Fanshaw says she “cannot think of anyone who is more passionate about making sure that her students really love math.”

DeFord is the only northern-based winner of a BCAMT award, the other four are from the Lower Mainland or Vancouver Island.