SASKATOON — Local public schools officials hailed Marion M. Graham Collegiate mathematics teacher Nat Banting for his different approach in teaching his subject, which was enough for him to recieve the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Banting now joins physics and science educator Andrea Regier of Bishop James Mahoney High School who earned the award in 2017, as the only two recipients of the Prime Minister’s Teaching Excellence in STEM honours.
Past Saskatchewan winners of the PM Award for Teaching Excellence include Weyburn Comprehensive School’s Margot Arnold, Oskayak High School’s Marc Gobeil from Saskatoon in 2017, Chief Mistawasis Nêhiyawak School’s Denise Desjardins in Leask and Lumsden High School’s Carla Cooper in 2018, and Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School’s Heather Faris of Regina.
Saskatoon Public Schools division director of education Shane Skjerven, in a statement sent to SASKTODAY, said Banting is the type of educator that will really leave a mark to his students based on his teaching methods.
“His genuine curiosity and the joy he finds in mathematical discovery inspires his students’ learning. Nat helps our students truly see themselves as mathematicians,” said Skjerven.
Banting, as stated on the awards website, has a fervent dedication in revisioning the teaching profession which is what sets him apart from his peers in the field of mathematics.
“Beginning with the junctions that have often been overlooked — the relationships between learners and mathematical meaning, between the students within the classrooms, between the teachers, and between the wider public and meaningful mathematical experiences. His efforts are about innovating at these crossroads. He elevates the potential of teaching and learning mathematics.”
Skjerven said Banting’s leadership in the classroom has improved math learning.
“He has helped build a culture of mathematics learning in our school division through his support of professional development for fellow teachers and his creation of the elementary Math Fair for younger students.”
“At SPS, we are incredibly proud to see Nat’s work recognized through this prestigious award, which affirms what we have known for years,” added Skjerven.
Marion Graham principal Karen Peterson, in her nomination letter, said Banting’s teaching method in his math classes are non-traditional.
“Students are mathematicians under the guidance of their thinking facilitator,” said Peterson. “Through play-based scenarios, Nat walks students through mathematical thinking and reasoning versus memorization of steps to solve a problem. The students connect with his energy and passion.”
Peterson added Banting helped make learning math easier.
“Students that once thought they were not math people are transformed by the interactive vertical learning and collaboration that occurs amongst the class surrounded by walls of whiteboards they use to reason out and explain concepts,” said Peterson.
“The focus in Nat’s class is on understanding and explaining math concepts rather than working toward a mark. While at times, this can be frustrating to students, Nat regularly communicates with families and spends time talking to students about the evidence they have shown in understanding an outcome.”
Banting, who holds a Saskatchewan teaching certificate, has been working with SPS since 2010. He said that he enjoys working with the youth.
“I think that schools have a unique opportunity to be very special places for kids. That has always drawn me to teaching. My infatuation with eliciting, amplifying, and observing mathematical thinking has only deepened as I’ve learned just how delicate that process is. I don’t see that subsiding any time soon,” said Banting.
He added that he plans to continue teaching as long as he can.
“To me, nothing beats the hustle and bustle of a school and the hum of a classroom that is engaged in a mathematics task. I teach some mathematics education courses at the University of Saskatchewan and also do a fair share of speaking and writing for venues across the country, but, for now, the classroom has my heart.”
