Assumption College Catholic High School science teacher, Adam Mills, was awarded the 2022 Award for Excellence in Teaching High School/CEGEP Physics in Ontario by the Canadian Association of Physicists. The ceremony took place at the school and recognized Mills for his innovative and passion-driven approach to teaching physics. Mills has been a teacher for the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board since 2012 and currently teaches International Baccalaureate Physics at Assumption. He has also previously been recognized as a recipient of a University of Chicago Outstanding Educator Award in 2016.
Mills expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Providing my students with opportunities for them to discover the tricks of nature is a personal passion and this award has further fuelled that fire.” The CAP Award for Excellence in Teaching High School/CEGEP Physics was introduced in 2010 to encourage and promote physics at the high school/CEGEP level in Canada, and to recognize excellence in teaching physics in Canadian high schools or CEGEPs.
In addition to his work as a physics teacher, Mills has also served as both vice-president and president of the Ontario Association of Physics Teachers. He has facilitated numerous teaching workshops for this association and local teachers, sharing his experiences with the implementation of innovative teaching pedagogies, such as the use of inquiry-based classrooms, novel assessment and evaluation methods, and the use of cognitive therapy and neuroscience to develop a more scientific model for learning.
Along with teaching, Mills also advises a Canadian Young Physics Tournament team, coaches senior boys soccer, and advises Assumption’s Math Club and Science Olympiad Team. Mills’ passion for teaching and his innovative approach to the subject continue to inspire students and colleagues alike, and his dedication to the field has earned him well-deserved recognition.