Two Vernon School District employees are among 27 outstanding education professionals from throughout the province that 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.
Murray Sasges of the Vernon Community School is a finalist for the community engagement award, and Jacquie Grypink, an education assistant at Hillview Elementary in Vernon, is a finalist for the outstanding support award.
“We have a great group of teachers and support staff at School District 22,” said superintendent Joe Rogers. “This award validates that we have staff here that make a positive, long-lasting impact in our schools, with our students and in our community at large.
“Being this is the first year for the awards,we look forward to the possibility of more of our teachers and support staff being recognized by the premier in future years.”
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The awards were launched April 23 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.
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.
For more information about the awards, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/excellenceineducation
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)
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