Biographies

Paul Hannan Joined SCCAO in 1986 Secretary Treasurer: 1994-96 Vice-Chairperson: 1996-97 Chairperson: 1997-98 Past Chairperson: 1998-2000
Paul has worked on numerous Ministry of Education curriculum projects, including OS:IS, Common Curriculum, Pan Canadian Science Project, and the current Ontario Curriculum. He has worked on numerous other projects including a provincial student teacher evaluation initiative (TIP - Teacher In-service Program), and numerous conferences including the joint Ontario-USA conference for consultants/coordinators at the NSTA conference in Toronto. Upon his retirement Paul formed a collegial group of retired SCCAO members (variously called SCCAO Alumni or SCCALUM) for professional and social purposes. Paul continues to be the animating force behind this group, including keeping it going. Paul has been identified as a man of integrity, devoted to the common good, and selfless in his commitment to the organization and the promotion of Science education. He exhibited modesty and humour in all aspects of his work, which contributed directly to the atmosphere of openness and collegiality characterized by his years with SCCAO.

Arthur Prudham Joined SCCAO in 1989 Vice-Chairperson: 1993-94 Chairperson: 1994-96 Past Chairperson: 1996-97
Arthur worked on numerous provincial curriculum development projects, and inter-Board writing teams to develop shared courses of study. He also regularly collaborated with STAO, including work on Safety issues and annual conferences. In addtion to SCCAO’s annual conference, Arthur took the initiative on organizing the joint Ontario-USA conference for consultants/coordinators at the NSTA conference in Toronto, which resulted in a great deal of ongoing information sharing and networking. Arthur has been described as being there for SCAAO, and always does whatever asked in order to move the organization forward or help fill the holes in the dyke when required, even in retirement. What he does is always well thought out and organized; it is also always presented with sincerity and humour mixed in perfect combination. He is the type of man that you just "respect" because of who he is, and how he acts.

Allan Smith Joined SCCAO in 1988 Chairperson: 1993-94 Past Chairperson: 1994-96
Allan Smith was a strong leader, who worked on numerous provincial and inter-Board projects. One of his more noteworthy accomplishments was the SCCAO response to the Royal Commission on Learning (1993). Much hard work went in to preparations, including the need to focus on what mattered most, and then put together a tight paper with just the right language (a clearly Smithian task). This response was thoroughly debated and discussed and, under Allan's leadership, SCCAO developed and articulated a position for science education in Ontario that became a basis for our input to many of the Ministry initiatives that followed. Hence, Allan has always been known for his ability to shape thoughts and ideas in a most articulate manner both orally and in written form – thereby earning the nickname, “WORDSMITH”. Allan has been described as a superb visionary who could always be called upon to clarify the larger picture and long-term implications of things. He was always careful and deliberate, but also enthusiastic, cheerful, deeply knowledgeable and wise.