2021 Recipients – Excellence in Early Childhood Education

Certificate of Excellence

British Columbia

Maria Rodrigues

With her holistic approach to teaching, Maria Rodrigues succeeds in inclusion and empowerment for all children, and contributes to an immensely successful preschool program.

Manitoba

Karlin Mann

Karlin Mann implements innovative pedagogical approaches that foster creativity, develop literacy skills, and integrate Indigenous culture and traditions.

New Brunswick

Marie Levi

An advocate for cultural learning paths for First Nations children, Indigenous culture and traditions are forefront in the learning experiences of the children under Marie Levi’s care.

Ontario

Tonja Armstrong-MacInnis

Through her holistic approach to teaching, Tonja Armstrong-MacInnis succeeds in inclusion and empowerment for all children, and has a steadfast commitment to social justice.

Quebec

Doreen Hogue

This innovative educator ensures that children have every opportunity for the best possible start in life.

Certificate of Achievement

Alberta

Sarah (Sally) Guzzardi

Sally Guzzardi approaches each child with empathy and understanding paired with high expectations and clear boundaries, and tirelessly sees the best in them.

Simelukuthula "Thula" Sibanda

Recognized for her unwavering dedication to the development of children, Thula Sibanda is a leader in implementing “Flight” - Alberta’s Early Learning and Care framework.

British Columbia

Chantelle Colthorp

Chantelle Colthorp’s practice is about the best interest of each child. This includes elder involvement, health promotion, family and community involvement, connection to community resources, and a connection to nature.

Manitoba

Tannis Piper

Using the environment as a third educator, Tannis Piper, sets up her activities in an aesthetically pleasing environment that is warm and inviting to the children.

Jenny Sanderson

A leader in education, Jenny Sanderson ensures that children in her care have a successful immersion into the elementary school system by promoting and nurturing their Indigenous heritage.

Nova Scotia

Margaret MacDonald

Margaret MacDonald uses inclusive and dynamic teaching methods in her class. She developed the Grand Friends program to the benefit of the children, as well as on the elderly in the community.

Ontario

Lisa Breen

This educator is a leader in virtual learning who extends her knowledge to support children and educators in developing the competency and the confidence they need in the virtual classroom.

Cheri Grandbois

By always trying new things, Cheri Grandbois is changing how she uses technology to best suit needs the children and parents to make the journey of learning and growing something unforgettable.

Quebec

Jennifer Cyr

Known for her teaching methods focused on inclusion and attention to each child’s individual needs, as well as her educational publications, this educator clearly shows that she is passionate about child development.

Yukon

Cyndi Desharnais

The vast contributions that Cyndi Desharnais has made to advancing early childhood education in the province establishes her as a leader among early childhood educators – a sector that is a key determinant in a society’s future.

All 2021 recipients

2021 Recipients
Certificate Community Name of setting Name of educator Type of setting Highlights
Alberta
Certificate of Achievement Calgary Calgary Montessori School #1 Sarah (Sally) Guzzardi Nursery school for children ages 3 to 6 years Sally Guzzardi approaches each child with empathy and understanding paired with high expectations and clear boundaries, and tirelessly sees the best in them.
Certificate of Achievement Edmonton Edmonton Northwest Day Care Centre Simelukuthula "Thula" Sibanda Child care centre Recognized for her unwavering dedication to the development of children, Thula Sibanda is a leader in implementing “Flight” - Alberta’s Early Learning and Care framework.
British Columbia
Certificate of Excellence Vancouver University Hill Preschool Maria Rodrigues Preschool for children ages 3 months to school age With her holistic approach to teaching, Maria Rodrigues succeeds in inclusion and empowerment for all children, and contributes to an immensely successful preschool program.
Certificate of Achievement Kelowna Awasisak Achakos Head Start Chantelle Colthorp Aboriginal Head Start for children ages 3 to 5 years Chantelle Colthorp’s practice is about the best interest of each child. This includes elder involvement, health promotion, family and community involvement, connection to community resources, and a connection to nature.
Manitoba
Certificate of Excellence Winnipeg Oak Street Nursery School Karlin Mann Nursery School for children ages 2 to 6 years Karlin Mann implements innovative pedagogical approaches that foster creativity, develop literacy skills, and integrate Indigenous culture and traditions.
Certificate of Achievement Winnipeg Springs Christian Academy Preschool Tannis Piper Preschool for children 4 years old Using the environment as a third educator, Tannis Piper, sets up her activities in an aesthetically pleasing environment that is warm and inviting to the children.
Certificate of Achievement Winnipeg Four Feathers Inc. Head Start Program Jenny Sanderson Aboriginal Head Start Pre-school program for children ages 3 to 6 years A leader in education, Jenny Sanderson ensures that children in her care have a successful immersion into the elementary school system by promoting and nurturing their Indigenous heritage.
New Brunswick
Certificate of Excellence Eel Ground Eel Ground Aboriginal Head Start Program Marie Levi Aboriginal Head Start Program An advocate for cultural learning paths for First Nations children, Indigenous culture and traditions are forefront in the learning experiences of the children under Marie Levi’s care.
Nova Scotia
Certificate of Achievement Halifax Purdy’s Wharf Childcare Center (YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth) Margaret MacDonald Preschool for children ages 3 to 5 years Margaret MacDonald uses inclusive and dynamic teaching methods in her class. She developed the Grand Friends program to the benefit of the children, as well as on the elderly in the community.
Ontario
Certificate of Excellence Toronto The Linden School Tonja Armstrong-MacInnis Kindergarten class for children ages 3 to 6 Through her holistic approach to teaching, Tonja Armstrong-MacInnis succeeds in inclusion and empowerment for all children, and has a steadfast commitment to social justice.
Certificate of Achievement Welland Niagara Catholic Virtual Elementary School Lisa Breen Kindergarten class for children ages 3 to 6 This educator is a leader in virtual learning who extends her knowledge to support children and educators in developing the competency and the confidence they need in the virtual classroom.
Certificate of Achievement Kenora Valleyview Public School Cheri Grandbois Dedicated Early Childhood Educator in a kindergarten classroom By always trying new things, Cheri Grandbois is changing how she uses technology to best suit needs the children and parents to make the journey of learning and growing something unforgettable.
Quebec
Certificate of Excellence Terrebonne Garderie éducative La Rose des vents Doreen Hogue Daycare for children ages 0 to 5 years old This innovative educator ensures that children have every opportunity for the best possible start in life.
Certificate of Achievement Montreal École François-La Bernarde Jennifer Cyr Preschool Known for her teaching methods focused on inclusion and attention to each child’s individual needs, as well as her educational publications, this educator clearly shows that she is passionate about child development.
Yukon
Certificate of Achievement Whitehorse Care-a-Lot Day Care Center Cyndi Desharnais Preschool for children ages 1 to 12 year (special needs to age 17) The vast contributions that Cyndi Desharnais has made to advancing early childhood education in the province establishes her as a leader among early childhood educators – a sector that is a key determinant in a society’s future.