Alumni Achievement Award 2006 - Sharon Robertson

Local educator honoured as outstanding alumna

sharon robertson and professor jay thomson at convocation
Sharon Robertson, a noted innovator and leader in the Region of Waterloo's educational system, was honoured with the Applied Health Sciences Alumni Achievement Award at the June 2006 Convocation. Her nomination was put forth in recognition of her exceptional dedication to the promotion of learning and her devotion to lifelong education.

In the space of a remarkable 28-year career, Sharon taught all ages of students in four Ontario Boards of Education, and lectured and led workshops on learning and teaching strategies at all levels from local to international. During one sabbatical leave, she visited several countries to immerse herself in learning theory, particularly learning through movement, a technique that often dramatically enhances learning for those in academic jeopardy.

As a local Principal, Sharon spearheaded the adoption of a healthy lifestyle program for her students by eliminating pop and substituting water; advocating vegetables as snack foods in the classroom; and promoting daily physical activity. Sharon also introduced the American program, Brain Gym, to Waterloo. Many schools across Canada then followed Sharon's lead by implementing similar initiatives.

Sharon conveys her passion for teaching and learning with great energy and enthusiasm. Always eager to embrace new areas, she now lectures to teachers on emotional intelligence and consults to industry on incorporating human elements into instructional software design.

Among the many accolades that have been bestowed upon Sharon are the Dr. Floyd White Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Teaching Profession (1997), the Race Relations Award (1995), and the Waterloo Region Woman of the Year Award (2005).

AHS is very proud to acknowledge Sharon Robertson (BSc Kin, 1976) as one of its many outstanding alumni.