EF Educational Tours is looking for teachers who go above and beyond for their students, and they need your help.

We recently launched this contest where you can win an iPad Air 2 and your teacher can win a professional development trip abroad, if you nominate them and tell us why they’re the best teacher ever.

As you might have guessed, we’ve got some pretty great quotes about some pretty great teachers so far. We’ve kept the students themselves anonymous, but we wanted to let you check out some of the inspiring stories that are coming in from all over the country.

Give them a read, and maybe you’ll feel inspired to nominate an awesome teacher of your own.

“I don’t think he knows it, but his enthusiasm for teaching & his outlook on life helped save mine.”

“Mr. Villella is the epitome of “cool teacher”. He is always very understanding of my class’ needs, like if we all need an extra day to finish an assignment or study for a test. He lets us voice our opinion all the time for our Social Justice class like in class debates. He also cares about our health, like when he spoke to me after school when he saw me crying in the hallway. He’s the best :)”
-Mississauga, ON.

“The impact Mr. Toole has had on my life & I can imagine many other students is intangible. His volunteer efforts as a basketball coach, and dedicating his time to expanding students horizons by taking & teaching them abroad is astounding; but on top of this he helps on a very personal level, too. I don’t think he knows it, but his enthusiasm for teaching & his outlook on life helped save mine.”
-Barrie, ON.

“Mr. Davidson has been the most inspirational teacher I’ve had. When I entered his classroom in grade 9 I had no idea how much of an impact he would have on my life. He is the primary reason that I’ve been inspired to do what I love to do. He encouraged me—told me that my writing was extraordinary, and is probably the reason why I love writing so much too this day. If there’s anyone that deserves this, it’s him.”
-Manning, AB

“Without her guidance and effort to make her students succeed, I don’t think I’d be where I am right now.”

“Ms. Sutton goes above and beyond for her English students. She gives so much grace with assignments, offers multiple rewrites to get it to an A. She makes class so enjoyable, with constant discussion on the work. She also plans the best fieldtrips out to see plays in the city. Not to mention, she has hot drinks available every class with a shelf of mugs. She’s the best teacher in the whole school.”
-Aldergrove, BC

“Kelsey was a great teacher and mentor during my highschool days. Without her guidance and effort to make her students succeed, I don’t think I’d be where I am right now. I’m currently in University pursuing a BA in Drama. I was lucky enough to find my passion for Drama and theatre in High School with the help of Kelsey. She is more than a teacher, but a friend. I’m glad I was her student!”
-Fort Smith, NWT

“She is my art teacher. She just started this year, and she is truly amazing! She inspired me to pursue my passion for fine arts and go to art school. She’s an amazing soul, truly. She’s so gentle and kind and she knows she exactly what you’re trying to say even when you can’t explain it yourself. She’s held an after school collage party with homemade apple cider and it was a lot of fun!”
-Winnipeg, MB

“She long oversaw our WE Act Club, and now monitors the Gay Straight Alliance. Intelligent, innovative, and endlessly compassionate, she’s a true inspiration to us all.”

“Mrs.Buettner is my high school English teacher. She helps run the drama club, and coordinates everything to do with graduation. She takes the time to get to know her students, so she can give them individualized help. She is not only a teacher, but a friend who students can confide in. She doesn’t baby her students, but treats them as if they were in university to help prepare them for the future.”
-Creighton, SK

“Proactively coordinating students to host Lt.-Gen. Roméo Dallaire in a speaking event, Ms. Verri led the raising of thousands for child soldiers. She delved into mentoring and building a strong peer network for new Syrian students. She long oversaw our WE Act Club, and now monitors the Gay Straight Alliance. Intelligent, innovative, and endlessly compassionate, she’s a true inspiration to us all.”
-Greenwich, NS

“Mrs. Lesik was my grade nine English teacher. I had a passion for creative writing, but I was always very shy about it. One day, Mrs. Lesik and I had one of those super intimidating chats about my mark at the time, and she brought to my attention how much better my life could be. Since then Ive embraced my talent with creative writing and taught myself how to work towards what I want out of life.”
-Edmonton, AB

“She is a young and unique individual. At only thirty years old,  she has become so many students’ support and confidant at school. Ms.Boulgarian is a drama, ethics, and English teacher. Her classroom is a safe haven where mistakes and inovation are welcome. She was the one who motivated me to pursue a career in the arts.  She inspires me. I cannot thank her enough for helping me become.. me.”
-Montreal, QC

“Drive on Shaw has been a show completely made by the students in his classroom that actually airs on local television.”

“Mr.McAleese is the best teacher I’ve ever had. He is positive and happy everyday, and it is always a joy to be in his class. He makes history a fun subject and very easy to comprehend. His power points are informative and he finds good visuals for us to understand what we are learning about. Mr.McAleese deserves this nomination as he truly cares about his students and wants us to excel in school.”
-Oakville, ON

“Mrs. Bostick is the music teacher at Tantramar Regional High School, however she is so much more than just a teacher. She dedicates herself to tons of extracurricular activities such as the Vocal Ensemble, Jazz Band, as well as putting on our musicals each year. She goes far beyond her job description and makes the music and theater programs at our school possible.”
-Sackville, NB

“Joe Shields has done everything he can to give students a realistic exposure to a television crew environment in school hours. With his pilot program D.R.I.V.E (Digital Recording Integrated Video English) he has directed students up towards the professional side of film and tv. Drive on Shaw has been a show completely made by the students in his classroom that actually airs on local television.”
-Campbell River, BC

WIN an iPad Air 2

EF Educational Tours is looking for teachers who go above and beyond for their students, and they need your help.

Does your teacher host your favourite after-school program? Organize the best field trips? Or maybe just make class more interesting than it’s ever been? Are they determined to put you on the right path?

A panel of judges will choose one deserving teacher to win a professional development trip abroad. The student who nominated them will win a prize pack worth $1,000, including an iPad Air 2 and accessories!

Update: the contest is now closed. Check the blog for more current chances to win!