Michele Dekok
Bringing the world to her students
Boston Bar, B.C.
It's a scenario common to many schools, but not one Michele Dekok was willing to tolerate. "Our school was having problems getting students, parents and teachers to work together," says Michele, who teaches grades 6 and 7 and is also the librarian at Boston Bar Elementary Secondary School in B.C. She started a club called MAD (Make a Difference) World Club with the motto DAM MAD (Don't Always Moan, Make a Difference). The original goal was to get students involved in solving problems, but their focus changed after the Asian tsunami struck.
With a population of 600, the town of Boston Bar, B.C., raised $1,800 for tsunami victims. "This was when my focus turned away from school problems," explains Michele. Today the MAD World Club focuses on activities that nurture global citizens. The club's members also visit other schools to raise awareness of international issues.
The club has also raised $18,000 in four years for development projects in Bali. The funds have helped build a house and two libraries, and provided school supplies and teaching kits. "The kids are interested in knowing where other countries are and the way other people live," says Michele. "Now they can talk about the world."
• Michele's Me to We Award money will be donated to Free the Children.
Click here to see Michele in Canadian Living magazine!
Honourable mentions
Social action
• Robin Grant
Robin works with at-risk youth. She created and runs For the Love of Learning, an alternative education program, in St. John's, Nfld., which offers workshops on writing, art, theatre and multimedia.
• Kris Wells
Kris recognized the abuse many sexual-minority youth face. In response, he created Camp fYrefly, Canada's largest leadership retreat for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth. The camp has mentored hundreds of youth and is supported by dozens of volunteers and donors.
Educator
• Michele Thoms
Thanks to the leadership of Michele, the activities of École St. Patrick High School's SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) chapter have saved countless lives in Yellowknife. The community is supportive of SADD, and most events offer SADD's drive-home program.
• Harriette Chang
Through her counselling program, Hariette encourages students to inspire others to show kindness in simple ways. With her support, students started a Random Acts of Kindness Week in Coquitlam, B.C., which has grown into Random Acts of Kindness Week for British Columbia.
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