P.E.I. high school teacher wins national award for his role in SEVEC exchange

Matt Kelly, a high school teacher now at Montague Regional High School, has been awarded the 2014 SEVEC Ambassador of History Award.

Presented by the Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada (SEVEC), this award celebrates Canadian achievements in the field of history and heritage and is part of the Governor General’s History Awards celebrations administered by Canada’s History Society.

Last year, while teaching at Morell Regional High School, Kelly organized a SEVEC exchange with Rideau District High School from Elgin, Ont.

While Kelly and his students were hosting, he created an itinerary rich in culture and Canadian history and heritage.

“The SEVEC Exchange was amazing! I met so many unforgettable people and I was able to experience a part of Canada that I had never been to before. Not only did I learn a lot about the history and culture of P.E.I., but I also learned a lot about my own community and myself,” said Kathleen Warren, a Grade 11 student from Rideau District High School.

William Morris, the exchange teacher from Rideau District High School and 2012 SEVEC Ambassador Award recipient, had very positive feedback about Kelly

“Matt Kelly went above and beyond all expectations to ensure the success of this exchange visit. His passion for the program and his attention to detail allowed each and every person the opportunity to explore and appreciate the Prince Edward Island experience.”

The 2014 Governor General’s History Awards will be presented at a ceremony at Rideau Hall on Monday, Nov. 3.

In addition to a trip for two to Ottawa for the award celebrations, both Kelly and Morell Regional High School will receive $1,000 from SEVEC. A cheque presentation ceremony is being planned at Morell Regional High School on Nov. 20.

“The SEVEC Ambassador of History Award is designed to inspire our group organizers to be creative and innovative in building more history and heritage programming into their visits and exchanges,” said Deborah Morrison, executive director of SEVEC.

“Not only do we want to recognize a job well done, but we want to share those activity plans with other teachers and youth organizers so that more young Canadians can benefit from greater knowledge and appreciation of our past.”