One of Pickering's independent schools has been recognised at the provincial level for turning civics lessons into on-the-ground experiences that bring students into contact with elected officials and public institutions.
Award honours practical civics work
Alex Au Yong, a teacher at Pickering College, was one of two recipients of the inaugural Elizabeth Dowdeswell Award for Advancing Democracy Through Education, presented at the Art Gallery of Ontario on Sept. 14. The award recognises Ontario educators who adopt innovative approaches to teaching that foster democratic principles and civic engagement.
"It is a privilege to collaborate with professional colleagues at Pickering College to innovate and enrich our civics curriculum," Au Yong said in a media release. "I take great delight in seeing students engage purposefully with elected leaders and officials at all levels of government to deepen their learning and contribute meaningfully to our communities and beyond the classroom."
The prize includes $7,500 to support further educational work. Janet Downer, assistant director of academics at Pickering College, said she nominated Au Yong because he helps students understand that democracy depends on engaged citizens who "are willing to listen, participate and contribute positively to their communities." Downer highlighted the teacher's consistent focus on giving young people direct opportunities to meet public servants and officials.
Students meeting government and community leaders
Au Yong's students have taken part in a range of activities designed to demystify government and encourage civic participation. According to the school, those activities include visits to provincial and federal legislatures, interactions with municipal offices and participation in election-related programming.
- Visits to Parliament Hill and the Ontario Legislative Assembly
- Trips to municipal government offices
- Participation in election town halls and polling initiatives
- Projects tied to current events
- Live interviews with elected officials and community leaders via 102.7 CHOP FM, the school's CRTC-licensed community radio station
During a school visit, Senator Robert Black spoke with students about topics including sustainability, volunteerism and agriculture, and the role of the public sector — an example, the school said, of the kind of conversation Au Yong seeks to prompt in the classroom.
What the award recognises
The Elizabeth Dowdeswell Award aims to spotlight educators whose classroom practice and extracurricular programming advance democratic knowledge and civic engagement among young people. Each recipient receives financial support to continue or expand their work.
| Award | Recipient | Venue | Value | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Dowdeswell Award for Advancing Democracy Through Education | Alex Au Yong (Pickering College) | Art Gallery of Ontario | $7,500 | Sept. 14 |
For Pickering residents, the recognition underscores a larger local trend: schools and community organisations experimenting with experiential civic learning as a way to prepare students for participation in democratic life. By bringing students into formal political spaces and connecting them with elected officials, Au Yong's work aims to reduce barriers between youth and institutions that shape public policy.
Janet Downer stressed the importance of those connections in the nomination: students who meet officials and observe democratic institutions first-hand are more likely to see themselves as participants in the civic process, she said.
For parents and community leaders concerned about civic disengagement among young people, the award serves as an example of how local programming can foster knowledge and confidence. The $7,500 prize is intended to support continued professional development or the expansion of projects that bring students into contact with government and community leaders.
As Pickering navigates the balance between suburban growth and community engagement, initiatives like those led by Au Yong at Pickering College represent a pragmatic approach to civic education — one that takes students out of the textbook and into the rooms where public decisions are debated and made.
