Award Recipients of the Premier's Awards for Excellence in Education

Publication date: October 27, 2023

Premier’s Awards award recipients demonstrate the dedication and leadership of the many teachers, administrators and support staff working in B.C.'s educational system to make life better for students.

This past year's awards recipients are listed below by category, and include links to inspirational videos that portray their work. You can also see award recipients from previous years.

2023 Award Recipients

Community Engagement

  • Award Recipient:   Heather Coey, Teacher, Retired, Reynolds Secondary, SD 61 (Greater Victoria)
  • Award Recipient:   Vanessa White, District Principal, Safe and Healthy Schools, SD 62 (Sooke)
  • Award Recipient:   Jenny Mitchell, Teacher, Summerland Middle, SD 67 (Okanagan-Skaha)

District Leadership

  • Award Recipient:   Chris van der Mark, Superintendent, SD 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)
  • Award Recipient:   Scott Stinson, Superintendent, SD 62 (Sooke)
  • Award Recipient:   Dustin Hyde, District Vice-Principal Indigenous Education, SD67 (Okanagan-Skaha)

Extracurricular Leadership

  • Award Recipient:   Lana O’Brien, Teacher, W.L. Seaton Secondary, SD 22 (Vernon)
  • Award Recipient:   Heather Lee Lytle, Teacher, Smithers Secondary, SD 54 (Bulkley Valley)
  • Award Recipient:   Amanda Liebel, Teacher, Constable Bruce Neil Middle, SD 23 (Central Okanagan)

Indigenous Education

  • Award Recipient:   Roberta Edzerza, District Principal Indigenous Education, SD 52 (Prince Rupert)
  • Award Recipient:   Lesley Gunning, Teacher, R.E. Mountain Secondary, SD 35 (Langley)
  • Award Recipient:   Jim Elwood, Teacher, Mount Boucherie Secondary, SD 23 (Central Okanagan)

Outstanding New Teacher

  • Award Recipient:   Craig Voskamp, Teacher, Vancouver Christian School, Vancouver
  • Award Recipient:   Rob Bennett, Teacher, Kelowna Secondary, SD 23 (Central Okanagan)
  • Award Recipient:   Lauren Klassen, Teacher, Constable Bruce Neil Middle, SD 23 (Central Okanagan)

Outstanding Support – School Community

  • Award Recipient:   Tanya Leech, Head Secretary, Q’shintul / Mill Bay Nature School, SD 79 (Cowichan Valley)
  • Award Recipient:   Darrin Huzar, Indigenous Education Worker, Pinewood Elementary, SD 57 (Prince George)
  • Award Recipient:   Inderjit Grewal, Prevention Program Counsellor, Smithers Secondary, SD 54 (Bulkley Valley)

Outstanding Support – Teaching Assistant

  • Award Recipient:   Amanda Hilverda, Certified Education Assistant, Kelowna Secondary, SD 23 (Central Okanagan)
  • Award Recipient:   Danielle Brown, Certified Education Assistant, Constable Neil Bruce Middle, SD 23 (Central Okanagan)
  • Award Recipient:   Jolene Parsons, District Inclusion Assistant, David Cameron Elementary, SD 62 (Sooke)

Outstanding Team Collaboration

  • Award Recipient:   Trevor Stokes, Teacher, Streetfront Alternative-Britannia Secondary, SD 39 (Vancouver)
  • Award Recipient:   Barry Skillin, Student Support Worker, Streetfront Alternative-Britannia Secondary, SD 39 (Vancouver)
  • Award Recipient:   Gord Howey, Youth and Family Worker, Retired, Streetfront Alternative-Britannia Secondary, SD 39 (Vancouver)
  • Award Recipient:   Mark Biggar, Teacher, Thomas Haney Secondary, SD 42 (Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows)
  • Award Recipient:   Todd Goodman, Teacher, Thomas Haney Secondary, SD 42 (Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows)
  • Award Recipient:   Melanie Millar, Resource Teacher, New Hazelton Elementary, SD 82 (Coast Mountains)
  • Award Recipient:   Glenn Barr, Teacher, Retired, New Hazelton Elementary, SD 82 (Coast Mountains)

School Leadership

  • Award Recipient:   Angela McLeish, Vice-Principal, St. Patrick’s Elementary, Victoria
  • Award Recipient:   Davy Dosanjh, Teacher, Caledonia Secondary, SD 82 (Coast Mountains)
  • Award Recipient:   Laura Moriarty, Teacher, Stratford Hall, Vancouver

Social Equity & Diversity

  • Award Recipient:   Perry Rath, Teacher, Smithers Secondary, SD54 (Bulkley Valley)
  • Award Recipient:   Kristina Carley, Teacher, University Highlands Elementary, SD 41 (Burnaby)
  • Award Recipient:   Michael Taylor, Teacher, Hugh Boyd Secondary, SD 38 (Richmond)

Past Award Recipients 

Expand All | Collapse All
 

2022 Winners & Finalists

Community Engagement

  • Winner:  Sandra Richardson, Clarence Fulton Secondary School, SD 22 (Vernon)
  • Finalist:  Tom Craik, Teacher, Ellison Elementary, SD 22 (Vernon)
  • Finalist:  Alisha Parashar, Past Teacher, John Oliver Secondary, SD 39 (Vancouver)

District Leadership

  • Winner:    Ivano Cecchini, Executive Director of Facilities and Planning Services, SD 43 (Coquitlam)
  • Finalist:   Randy Jones, Behavior Intervention Service Coordinator, retired, SD 67 (Okanagan-Skaha)
  • Finalist:   Larry Mattin, Director of Instruction, SD 79 (Cowichan Valley)

Extracurricular Leadership

  • Winner:   Christina Horwood, teacher, Oak Bay High, SD 61 (Greater Victoria)
  • Finalist:   Joe Frew, teacher, Terry Fox Elementary, SD 34 (Abbotsford)
  • Finalist:   Jaswinder Sodhi, Teacher, University Hill Secondary, SD 39 (Vancouver)

Indigenous Education

  • Winner:   Birdy Markert, District Principal of Indigenous Education, SD 54 (Bulkley Valley)
  • Finalist:   Gordon Powell, District Principal for Aboriginal Learning, Retired, SD 36 (Surrey)

Outstanding New Teacher

  • Winner:   Rupinder Aujla, Teacher, Ellison Elementary SD 23 (Central Okanagan
  • Finalist:   Rob Bennett, Teacher, Ecole Kelowna Secondary SD 23 (Central Okanagan)
  • Finalist:   Carmen McDowell, Teacher, Rutland Middle, SD 23 (Central Okanagan)

Outstanding Support – School Community

  • Winner:   Nicole Rishaug, Student Success Team Advocate, Mount Boucherie Secondary, SD 23 (Central Okanagan)
  • Finalist:   Rolanda Lavallee, Custodial Manager, SD 54 (Bulkley Valley)
  • Finalist:   Amelia Misak, Community Schools Outreach Worker, SD 36 (Surrey)

Outstanding Support – Teaching Assistant

  • Winner:   Elaine Tattrie, Teaching Assistant, Gibsons Elementary, SD 46 (Sunshine Coast)
  • Finalist:   Edith (Lynne) Brissard, Teaching Assistant, Chetwynd Secondary, SD 59 (Peace River South)
  • Finalist:   Bonnie Cheng, Teaching Assistant, David Lloyd George Elementary, SD 39 (Vancouver)

Outstanding Team Collaboration

Winners: Westcot Elementary

  • Megan Kang, teacher, Westcot Elementary, SD 45 (West Vancouver)
  • Meghan Stewart, Teacher, Westcot Elementary, SD 45 (West Vancouver)
  • Tricia Yurkowski, Teacher/ Vice-Principal, Westcot Elementary, SD 45 (West Vancouver)

​Finalists: Chatelech Secondary

  • Sara Douglas, Music Teacher, Chatelech Secondary, SD 46 (Sunshine Coast)
  • Tom Kellough, Music Teacher, Chatelech Secondary, SD 46 (Sunshine Coast)

Finalists: SD22

  • Corinne McWhinney, District Technology Innovation Coordinator, SD 22 (Vernon)
  • Joshua Vance, Vice-Principal, Kalamalka Secondary, SD 22 (Vernon)
  • Timothy Agnew, Director of Technology, SD 22 (Vernon)

School Leadership

  • Winner:   Ian Levings, Principal, Eugene Reimer Middle, SD 34 (Abbotsford)
  • Finalist:   Rick Chan, Principal, Eastview Elementary, SD 44 (North Vancouver)
  • Finalist:   Lisa Jamieson, Principal, Janice Churchill Elementary, SD 36 (Surrey)

Social Equity & Diversity

  • Winner:   Nerlap Sidhu, teacher, Eugene Reimer Middle, SD 34 (Abbotsford)
  • Finalist:   Beth Applewhite, District Principal of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, SD 41 (Burnaby)
  • Finalist:   Balroop Dhanoa, Teacher/Department Head, Social Justice, R.E. Mountain Secondary, SD 35 (Langley)
 

2019 Winners & Finalists

Community Engagement

  • Winner:  Alan Gee, Clarence Fulton Secondary School, SD 22 (Vernon)
  • Finalist:  Casey Litton, Nechako Valley Secondary School, SD 91 (Nechako Lakes)
  • Finalist:  Sheila Monroe, Okanagan Landing Elementary School, SD 22 (Vernon)

District Leadership

Extracurricular Leadership

  • Winner:  Scott Stefanek, Ecole Brantford Elementary School, SD 41 (Burnaby)
  • Finalist:  Sabha Ghani, Burnaby South Secondary School, SD 41 (Burnaby)
  • Finalist:  Paul Lilly, Ecole Chief Dan George Middle School, SD 34 (Abbotsford)

Indigenous Education

  • Winner:  Jordan Smith, Twin Rivers Education Centre, SD 73 (Kamloops/Thompson)
  • Finalist:  Maria Bruneau, Ecole Dr. Charles Best Secondary School, SD 43 (Coquitlam)
  • Finalist:  Ivy Chelsea, Chase Secondary School/Haldane Elementary School, SD 73 (Kamloops/Thompson)

Outstanding New Teacher

  • Winner:  Grace Broadfoot, J.V. Humphries Elementary & Secondary School, SD 8 (Kootenay Lake)
  • Finalist:  Robert French, South Central Interior Distance Education School, SD 58 (Nicola-Similkameen)
  • Finalist:  Prabhjot Grewal, North Delta Secondary School, SD 37 (Delta)

Outstanding Support – Teaching Assistant

  • Winner:  Sandra Breslin, Prince Charles Elementary School, SD 34 (Abbotsford)
  • Finalist:  Elaine Bayles, Glanford Middle School, SD 61 (Victoria)
  • Finalist:  Marie Kielpinski, Mount Boucherie Secondary School, SD 23 (Central Okanagan)

Outstanding Support - School Community

  • Winner:  Wendel Williams, Ecole Alpha Secondary School, SD 41 (Burnaby)
  • Finalist:  Jodi Guy, Ecole Phoenix Middle School, SD 72 (Campbell River)
  • Finalist:  Dorothy Jones, A.L. Fortune Secondary School, SD 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap)

School Leadership

  • Winner:  Troy White, Ecole Kelowna Secondary School, SD 23 (Central Okanagan)
  • Finalist:  Carol DeFehr, Juniper Ridge Elementary School, SD 73 (Kamloops/Thompson)
  • Finalist:  Brett Hancock, District Principal-Learning Alternatives, SD 68 (Nanaimo)

Social Equity & Diversity

  • Winner:  Chad Jobe, Vast Centre/Learning Alternatives, SD 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith)
  • Finalist:  Bryan Gidinski, Chaffey-Burke Elementary School, SD 41 (Burnaby)
  • Finalist:  Antony Wilson, Mulgrave School (West Vancouver)

Technology and Innovation

  • Winner:  Brendan Robertson, Ecole Beairsto Elementary School, SD 2 (Vernon)
  • Finalist:  Tammy Tomm, Columbia Park Elementary School, SD 19 (Revelstoke)
  • Finalist:  Denise Underwood, McGowan Park Elementary School, SD 73 (Kamloops/Thompson)
 

2018 Winners & Finalists

Community Engagement Award

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

Diversity and Inclusion Award

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

Extracurricular Leadership Award

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

Indigenous Education Award

  • Winner: Verna (Mandy) Jones, Ladysmith Secondary school, SD 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith)
  • ​Finalist: Melissa Austin, Saanich School District, SD 63 (Saanich)
  • Finalist: Emily Recalma, Nanaimo District Secondary school, SD 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith)

Outstanding New Teacher Award

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

Outstanding Support Award

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

School and District Leadership Award

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

Social Equity Award

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

Technology and Innovation Award

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