Local teacher Grace Broadfoot, who goes above and beyond to creatively inspire her students’ learning experiences, has received a Premier’s Award for Excellence in Education at an award ceremony in Victoria.

Broadfoot was presented with her award Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, at the second annual Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education ceremony held at Government House.

This year’s 10 winners, who were chosen from 140 nominations received between January and April 2019 and narrowed down to 30 finalists, were announced at the ceremony. Premier John Horgan, Rob Fleming, Minister of Education, and Lt. Gov. Janet Austin attended. The annual awards ceremony is held at the same time as World Teachers’ Day. This year’s is being marked internationally on Oct. 5.

The awards were launched last year to honour the outstanding achievements of public, independent and First Nations school teachers, principals, vice-principals, administrators and support staff in the K-12 school system.

“All British Columbians benefit from the outstanding efforts of teachers, administrators and support workers,” said Premier John Horgan. “The education professionals honoured through the Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education are exemplary in their commitment to student success, making schools safe and welcoming places for all, innovative learning approaches and strong leadership, and having made lasting impacts on peoples’ lives.”

Broadfoot, awarded in the category of Outstanding New Teacher, is a teacher at J.V. Humphries Elementary and Secondary school. Described as a game changer at her school, Broadfoot shows a real concern for her students and their learning. A highly respected teacher, she is attentive to students’ social emotional as well as physical health, incorporating mental health curriculum into her classes. She remains committed to developing educated citizens, using innovative methods to develop exciting and engaging learning experiences, and uses the outdoor environment as her classroom. She is a model teacher for B.C.’s new curriculum and its emphasis on core competencies as she keeps big, connecting ideas at the forefront of lesson plans, while also delving deeply into the curricular competencies and content important in each discipline. She is also dedicated to personal professional learning and development.

“British Columbian education professionals go to great lengths to engage their students to ensure they not only learn important lessons tied to the learning at hand, but that will serve them well as they graduate and enter the next exciting phase of their lives,” said Fleming. “These teachers, administrators and support staff members deserve to not only be recognized for all that they do, but also to be celebrated for the lasting legacy they’re leaving in the K-12 education system through their efforts to make life better for all those involved in their school communities.”

Simi Sara, host of CKNW’s The Simi Sara Show, served as emcee of the event, which featured musical entertainment by members of the Esquimalt High Senior Jazz Band.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the incredible work that these extraordinary teachers, administrators and support staff do for our students and education system,” said Austin. “The creativity, enthusiasm and care demonstrated by these education professionals contributes to building a bright future for British Columbia.”

Winners of this year’s Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education received a commemorative work of art by Claire Jorgensen, a 17-year-old Reynolds Secondary student (SD 61, Greater Victoria). They also received a $3,000 personal bursary for professional learning and a $2,000 contribution to their school community for professional learning.

Learn More:

To view a video of Broadfoot, visit: https://youtu.be/XV4j7fsZev0

To read the full news release with all 10 winners, visit: http://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019PREM0111-001913

For more information on the Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education and to view videos of all 30 finalists, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/excellenceineducation