2007 Winner – Gordon Phippen
On Monday January 8, 2007 at Parliament Hill the To The Top Canada Award was presented to Gordon Phippen on To The Top Canada Day. Mr. Phippen is a passionate advocate for Canada and what he calls “Expedition Education”. As a founding director and teacher at Oakville, Ontario’s West Wind Montessori School, every year during his summer holidays, he takes students ranging in ages 10-14 to a different part of Canada to learn about our country. Since 1996, in annual two week motorhome based journeys, he has taken students as far west as British Columbia, as far east as Newfoundland and as far north as the Yukon. Through exploring our spectacular National Parks, visiting Canada’s remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites and meeting Canadians from various walks of life, his students develop a deeper understanding for what it means to be Canadian. Mr. Phippen believes this gives students a stronger appreciation of Canada and our diverse communities that is just not possible unless experienced beyond the classroom.
“Gordon Phippen epitomizes excellence in Canadian education. He has the courage to take students out of classroom and introduce them to the incredible experience of CANADA. In an era where some Canadians don’t know the difference between St. John’s and Saint John or Dawson Creek and Dawson City, Gordon Phippen is an example to teachers and schools across Canada how to better educate students and make learning a wonderful Canadian experience” commented To The Top Canada Award Founder Chris Robertson.
