C95 Teacher of the Year known for making students feel safe

C95 and the Saskatoon Teachers’ Association announced 2022’s Teacher of the Year winner Thursday morning at St. Lorenzo Ruiz School.

Blair Gillies — Mr. Gillies to his Grade 3 students — was presented with a cheque for $10,000 after he was nominated by his students and chosen as the winner.

Gillies has been a teacher for 22 years, spending the first five years of his career teaching in Estevan before moving to Saskatoon to teach in the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools division.

Teacher Blair Gillies comforts one of his students, Amanda Montt Tapia, after his big win. (Libby Giesbrecht/650 CKOM)

He said his class this year is a special group, as it’s his first Grade 3 class after teaching fifth grade for several years.

There were some big reactions from Gillies’ young students after the announcement. Amanda Montt Tapia burst into tears of joy.

“It was so emotional for me,” she said. “He’s my teacher and I appreciate him so much.”

Chloe Wyshynski also cried.

“I was so happy,” she said. “I tried to hold in my cry, but I couldn’t, so I kept crying.”

“I have emotional damage … because I’m so happy he won!” added Brodie LaBarsh.

Gillies’ students said highlights from their time in his class included visits to the Forestry Farm, the Riversdale Pool and class picnics.

Ellie Roth, who turns nine in two weeks, shared praise for Gillies.

“I think he’s the best teacher in the world,” Roth said. “He always makes learning fun. And I have allergies — severe allergies — and he always makes me feel safe.

“I almost had one (allergic reaction) at school so he made me feel calmed down and then made me feel comfortable.”

Gillies said he wasn’t expecting the win, which came as a “total shock” to him.

“It was enough just to be nominated, and then to be actually the winner is just an amazing feeling,” Gillies said.

Blair Gillies (second from left) poses with his class at St. Lorenzo Ruiz School in Saskatoon after winning C95’s Teacher of the Year contest on June 16, 2022 (Libby Giesbrecht/650 CKOM)

He said his students were surprised, too.

“We’ve had such a good year together,” he said. “I think there was a lot of joy felt by everyone.”

He said the honour warmed his heart and validated the work he puts into his lessons each year.

“It’s just such a good feeling to know that as a teacher I’ve made an impact,” he said.

When it comes to the $10,000 prize, Gillies said he plans on spending it with his wife and 14-year-old son, but wants to make one purchase for himself.

“The first thing that comes to mind is a canoe,” he said.

C95 and 650 CKOM are both owned by Rawlco.