In recognition of her ability to integrate technology into the classroom, a University of Windsor student has been honoured with the Prime Minister’s Award of Teaching Excellence.

Amarah Ishaque, a current student of computer science and a graduate of the masters program in educational administration and leadership, received the award in October.

“As educators, we are accustomed to giving rather than receiving,” Ishaque said.

“I was primarily focused on refining my STEM teaching practices, so the recognition came as a pleasant surprise. I was humbled to see the number of students, staff, and parents that nominated me!”

Last month, the math and science teacher, along with nine other recipients, picked up her award and had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“Meeting the prime minister was genuinely great, but being among the nine other recipients was a standout moment for me,” she said.

“It was an assembly of the finest educators in Canada, contributing significantly to my own professional growth. I walked away with so many new projects that I am excited to implement in my classroom!”

Ishaque teaches at the Ignite Centre for eLearning in Edmonton, where she shares her background in STEM education through hands-on activities and project-based learning.

She received the Certificate of Excellence for not only engaging students with technology but also instilling digital skills through question and debate-based learning, according to her recipient biography. This allows her students to develop crucial critical thinking skills and build their confidence through public speaking.

According to a statement from her principal, Ishaque has an “infectious” passion for teaching math that students respond to with enthusiasm.

Ishaque is said to always ensure student success is celebrated creatively with certificates and funny poems to highlight accomplishments. She has a knack for connecting with students on a personal level and is dedicated to supporting their mental health and emotional well-being.

Outside of the classroom, she remains a “life-long student” and has worked extensively on research — including a paper digging into the reasons Canadian students score lower on math tests by looking at Finland which has a higher success rate in the STEM field. The 2015 research paper won first prize at the University of Windsor’s UWill Discover Conference.

The Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence has recognized exceptional elementary and secondary school teachers across all disciplines since 1991, honouring more than 1,800.