Michael Frankfort

An innovative elementary teacher with the York Region District School Board (2006 – present), Michael Frankfort (BA 1999 UC) continually goes above and beyond to provide students with engaging and meaningful academic experiences. His innovation was on full display during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, as he continually found creative ways to offer engaging and interactive virtual educational experiences. Whether it was hosting a local beatboxer for a series of virtual workshops, taking students on virtual field trips, or forming connections with the U of T Trash Team to increase waste literacy, Frankfort made online education fun. In addition to the partnership he formed with the U of T, he has partnered with Skills Ontario to allow students to compete in their green energy competition, initiated an EcoFair called Building Nature Connection, and runs various STEM-related extra-curricular activities. Frankfort is also a leader at the provincial level, currently serving as Chair of the Elementary Curriculum Committee for the Science Teachers’ Association of Ontario (STOA) and previously serving as STAO’s Elementary and Secondary Curriculum Coordinator.