Humber College students who want to thank a high school teacher who went the extra mile to inspire them can do so through the College’s Greatest High School Teacher contest.

The contest gives entrants an opportunity to win a $500 gift certificate from the Bookstore while honouring an unforgettable high school teacher who went above and beyond to help them and their peers succeed.

To enter, students must write a 500-word essay describing their greatest high school teacher along with completing the registration form. The registration form can be found on the Greatest High School Teacher contest webpage.

The deadline to apply is November 1.

The winning teachers receive a plaque commemorating the honour. In addition to that, they also get to choose a current high school student to receive a full tuition scholarship to Humber in their name.

The person who nominated the winning teacher will also have their name added to the plaque and will receive a recognition certificate.

The winners and their greatest high school teachers will be invited to a special awards reception at Humber.

Last year, three teachers were named the winners. They were Therese Hassan from St. Martin Secondary School in Mississauga, David D’Ercole from Monsignor Fraser College in Toronto and Lorie Field from Nelson High School in Burlington.  

Humber student Marta “Jaqui” Lopes nominated D’Ercole. In the supporting essay, Lopes wrote about struggling with math and how D’Ercole provided invaluable support that kept Lopes and other students engaged.

“I remember the day I received my final math grade and came to his class in tears that I finally accomplished something worth sharing with everyone,” wrote Lopes. “I was one step closer to achieving my dreams of entering a post-secondary school and further pursuing my dreams.”

Lopes wrote in the essay that “David was an amazing teacher” who showed Lopes she could do anything she put her mind to.