NANAIMO – New Democrat MLAs Sheila Malcolmson and Doug Routley congratulate Chad Jobe and Brett Hancock from SD68 on being named as finalists in this year’s Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education. Jobe and Hancock are two of thirty education professionals throughout B.C. to have been named as finalists, chosen for their leadership, innovation, support and dedication to the students and school community in which they work.
“Nanaimo’s educators have huge impact, as role models, coaches, community leaders, and so much more,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “I’m so glad to see Chad and Brett honoured and celebrated for the important work they do: they make Nanaimo proud!”
“Coming from a family of teachers, I know how hard our educators work to set our students up for success,” said Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “Thank you Chad and Brett for all the work you do to inspire and empower Nanaimo’s youth.”
Chad Jobe, a co-ordinator/teacher at the Vast Centre and Learning Alternatives, has been nominated for the Social Equity and Diversity award. Jobe believes in creating inclusive and experiential learning opportunities so all students can be successful in the classroom and beyond. He team-teaches more than 50 students from grades 8-12 in the ABOUT Program, which incorporates unique learning opportunities using Indigenous cultural education as the foundation to core academics. He helps students create a weekly podcast on topics like racism and poverty, giving them an opportunity to demonstrate personal responsibility, tolerance and respect for the ideas and beliefs of others.
Brett Hancock, the district principal for Learning Alternatives, has been nominated for the School Leadership award. Hancock works hard to give students a sense of belonging and to create a safe learning environment, and strives to discover and implement new ideas to provide them with increased opportunities to learn and grow. He is a strong proponent of Indigenous language revitalization and has committed to learning the local Coast Salish language himself. He has led the district’s principals in professional development on the culture and history of Indigenous peoples and is unrelenting in his pursuit to bring Indigenous ways of knowing and learning to his staff and students.
Launched for the first time in 2018, the annual Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education are an opportunity to recognize the contributions of public, independent and First Nations school system teachers, principals, vice-principals, school and district leaders, and support staff who go above and beyond to make life better for K-12 students in B.C. This year, 10 awards are being given out with six honouring teachers, two recognizing school and district leaders, and two honouring support staff members. The nomination period ran from Jan. 7 to April 30 and 140 nominations were received.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at Government House in Victoria on Oct. 4, the day before World Teachers’ Day.
Winners will receive a $3,000 personal bursary for professional learning, a $2,000 contribution to their school community for professional learning and a commemorative artwork. Runners up will receive a certificate of recognition signed by the Premier and Minister of Education.
Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019PREM0080-001377