(L-R) Martellacci, President, C21 Canada, Dr, Bonnie Schmitt, President & Founder, Let`s Talk Science, Honorable Doug Currie, Minister of Education, Early Learning and Culture, Patricia Gartland, Superintendent of Schools, School District 43, Karen Yamada, Vice President, C21 Canada 

Toronto, ON, August 3, 2017 — C21 Canada, a leading not­for­profit organization promoting the accelerated change in teaching and learning practices across Canada hosted their annual awards reception Friday, July 21 in Charlottetown, PEI during Canada’s historic 150th birthday. This year’s reception honored Dr. Bonnie Schmitt, President & Founder, Let`s Talk Science and the Honorable Doug Currie, Minister of Education, Early Learning and Culture.

The board of C21 Canada­­–Canadians for 21st Century Learning and Innovation, had the great pleasure of announcing the National Shifting Minds Award winners for 2017 in the categories of System and Individual. This year’s recipients are:

The Honorable Doug Currie received the Shifting Minds National Award from C21 Canada for distinctive achievement in the field of 21st Century learning and innovation in the System Award category. System Awards are presented to recognize the work of enlightened educators working together to advance 21st century models of learning and teaching in Canada. C21 Canada’s awards recognize and celebrate leadership excellence in advancing teaching and learning practices in Canada consistent with our Shifting Minds 1.0 vision and framework document and our Shifting Minds 3.0 Redefining the Learning Landscape in Canada.

Currie is the current chair of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada and is also co-chair of the National Early Learning and Childcare Framework committee, with federal Families, Children and Social Development Minister Duclos.

Dr. Bonnie Schmitt received a Shifting Minds National Award from C21 Canada for distinctive achievement in the field of 21st Century learning and innovation.

Dr. Schmitt received the award in the Individual Category. Individual Awards are  presented to recognize the work of enlightened leaders working together to advance 21st century models of learning in Canada. C21 Canada’s awards recognize and celebrate leadership excellence in advancing teaching and learning practices in Canada consistent with the Shifting Minds vision and framework document. “Education in Canada is world-class but our national system is dynamic and complex. It has been a privilege to work with many talented people over the past 25 years to help youth develop the competencies they need in a world underpinned by science and technology” said Dr. Bonnie Schmitt, “It is a special honour for this work to be recognized with the Shifting Minds award.”

“We recognize and applaud what Bonnie has accomplished through her excellent work at Let’s Talk Science, where she will continue to demonstrate her thought leadership and passion for lifelong learning through technological innovations,” said Robert Martellacci, ­President, C21 Canada.

The Shifting Minds Awards coincided with the semi­annual meeting of the C21 Canada CEO Academy of Canada made up of the top CEO’s/Superintendents from across Canada. The C21 Canada CEO Academy established this past year has the participation of the most innovative and progressive CEO’s from public school systems across Canada coming together to share and provide insight, leadership and direction to a 21st century learning, innovation and technology agenda.

About C21 Canada

C21 Canada is a national, not for profit organization that advocates for 21st Century models of learning in education. Their belief is that 21st century models of learning must be adopted in public education on an urgent basis to position Canadians for economic, social and personal success in the high skills, knowledge and innovation based economy.

For more information contact: Robert Martellacci, President, C21 Canada Mobile: 416­569­2106 robert.martellacci@c21canada.org   www.c21canada.org.