W.H. Ballard Educator Invited to be Presenter at 2021 CFL Awards
Good things really do come in threes, at least for Stephanie Haber.
The 108th Grey Cup game is taking place in Hamilton this weekend at Tim Hortons Field, which is already cause for celebration. Sunday’s treat will be even sweeter due to the fact that her favourite team, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, will be competing on their home turf for the Canadian Football League championship. Just when she thought things could not get any better, Haber received an invitation to present at the CFL Awards.
“I have never had any experience even close to this. I am really excited about it,” said Haber. “My husband and I have both been pampering ourselves with new outfits for the big night.”
It all started when the W.H. Ballard Elementary educator registered her classroom for a TELUS End Bullying presentation that was delivered by the Tiger-Cats. Her Principal knows how big of a fan she is and figured she would be interested in the opportunity. Haber was even asked to host the session, which was led by Courtney Stephen from the Tiger-Cats organization, as well as players Jeremiah Masoli and Mike Daly.
“They spoke a lot about what cyberbullying is, what you can do for help, and how important your ‘digital footprint’ is, even years later,” Haber told us. “The students had mentioned that a lot of what was covered in the session was new information to them, and they found the presentation very valuable.”
Visits from the Ti-Cats are not only exciting for a super fan like Haber, but they also mean a lot to the students who idolize them.
“The students are SO EXCITED for these types of opportunities. The minute I mentioned what we had signed up for, there was magic in the air,” explained Haber. “Kids were gasping, cheering, searching up the stats of the players, and all sat up straighter with huge, wide eyes. Some were talking about times when they had seen the Hamilton Tiger-Cats play before.”
The Ballard teacher went on to tell us that there was not a single student off-task on the day of the TELUS End Bullying presentation. They even continued to use terminology from the lesson in the following days and weeks. Many students say that they would like to play sports professionally, so they loved to hear about what the players have done to make it to the top of their chosen field. The class even created a thank you card to show appreciation for the virtual visit.
The group clearly made an impression on the Tiger-Cats, as participating classes were offered tickets to a Forge FC, Hamilton’s professional soccer club, playoff game. Many students from Haber’s class were able to attend, but little did she know, one last surprise was still coming her way.
“I was so shocked and honoured to be asked to present at the CFL Awards! I said yes right away,” Haber said. “I thought the offer was so kind.”
The CFL Awards is a night for the league’s biggest and brightest stars to be recognized for their accomplishments over the 2021 season. Haber should also expect to receive a significant round of applause for the achievements of her and her fellow educators. The Tiger-Cats organization extended the offer on behalf of the CFL, who was looking for frontline workers to be presenters on the big night.
“I think it is a huge honour to be thought of as a frontline worker, representing others on the stage,” Haber told us. “Teaching throughout the pandemic has shown me how incredibly important and valuable it is for students, their families and school staff to be working together in school.”
The 2021 CFL Awards are being held at the Hamilton Convention Centre on Friday, December 10 at 7 p.m. Tickets are sold out, but you can catch the festivities online via the CFL website.
We will be tuning in to see Haber’s well-deserved big moment! When asked if she had a message for other frontline workers in the community, the Ballard educator shared the following.
“People have had to be so flexible and in some cases, change their jobs completely. Many have faced so much adversity. I have so much gratitude for so many people now, that I may not have realized before the pandemic. All I can say is ‘thank you’ to every frontline worker, you continue to do such important work.”
Updated on Friday, December 10, 2021.