Mel Greif

Recipient of the 2001 Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History

November 1, 2001
Mel Greif with Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, and His Excellency John Ralston Saul, 2001.
Sgt Julien Dupuis

Humberside Collegiate Institute, Toronto (Ontario)

Mel Greif’s school is steeped in history. He engages his students in field trips, Confederation debates, simulations, an 1812 picnic and murder-mysteries based on local historic sites. Students undertake independent historical research projects that enrich the class and school. The absence of female role models in history classrooms instigated the study of women in Canadian history. Now a corridor is devoted to Canadian women role models. Students work as archivists and as history mentors/ tutors in the school library.