Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education finalists announced

Editor's Note -- congrats to local teacher Shelly Peel who teachers at Mountview Elementary (SD 27)

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Twenty-seven outstanding education professionals from throughout the province have been named as finalists in the inaugural Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education.

The awards honour the efforts of those who go above and beyond to make life better for students in British Columbia.

The awards were launched April 23, 2018, during B.C.’s Education Week. A total of 188 nominations were received in nine categories: seven honouring the dedication of teachers; one recognizing principals, vice-principals and administrators; and another celebrating support staff.

2018 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education finalists include:

Community Engagement Award

Shelly Peel, Mountview Elementary school, SD 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)
Murray Sasges, Vernon Community school, SD 22 (Vernon)
Katrina Sumrall, Lucerne Elementary Secondary school, SD 10 (Arrow Lakes)

Outstanding New Teacher Award

Carmen McDowell, Glenrosa Middle school, SD 23 (Central Okanagan)
Kirsten Tancon, Highland Secondary school, SD 71 (Comox Valley)
Maymie Tegart, Blue River Elementary school, SD 73 (Kamloops/Thompson)

Technology and Innovation Award

Heather McIntosh, Mount Boucherie Secondary school, SD 23 (Central Okanagan)
Sean Robinson, École Riverside Secondary school, SD 43 (Coquitlam)
Carl Savage, École Ballenas Secondary school, SD 69 (Qualicum)

Diversity and Inclusion Award

Hasheem Hakeem, École Dr. Charles Best Secondary school, SD 43 (Coquitlam)
Kim Halayko, Lillooet Secondary school, SD 74 (Gold Trail)
Amelia Witt, Salmon Arm Secondary school – Sullivan Campus, SD 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap)

Indigenous Education Award

Melissa Austin, Saanich School District, SD 63 (Saanich)
Verna Jones, Ladysmith Secondary school, SD 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith)
Emily Recalma, Nanaimo District Secondary school, SD 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith)

Social Equity Award

Ryan Cho, Terry Fox Secondary school, SD 43 (Coquitlam)
Michael Iachetta, Seaquam Secondary school, SD 37 (Delta)
Anne Ostwald, Alberni District Secondary school, SD 70 (Alberni)

Extracurricular Leadership Award

Tanya Adelborg, Randerson Ridge Elementary school, SD 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith)
Sandra Chan, Richmond Secondary school, SD 38 (Richmond)
Nancy Sinclair, Lakeview Elementary school, SD 41 (Burnaby)

School and District Leadership Award

Jay Dixon, principal, North Island Secondary school, SD 85 (Vancouver Island North)
Angelo Morelli, principal, École K.B. Woodward Elementary school, SD 36 (Surrey)
Diana Samchuck, superintendent, SD 81 (Fort Nelson)

Outstanding Support Award

Jacquie Grypink, educational assistant, Hillview Elementary school, SD 22 (Vernon)
Jeannine Lindsay, Aboriginal support worker, Lake Trail Middle school, SD 71 (Comox Valley)
Richard Morgan, custodian, Penticton Secondary school, SD 67 (Okanagan Skaha)

Finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony at Government House in Victoria on World Teachers’ Day, Oct. 5, 2018. Premier John Horgan, Rob Fleming, Minister of Education, and Lt. Gov. Janet Austin will be in attendance.

Each winner will receive a $3,000 personal bursary for professional learning, and a $2,000 contribution to their school community for professional learning.

Learn More:

For more information about the awards, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/excellenceineducation