2010 Nominees - Education, Training and Development
DR. LORNA BENNETT
After 33 years of exemplary service as a classroom teacher, special educator and school psychologist, Lorna continues her commitment to education as an author, presenter and consultant. She was instrumental in the development of the Diagnostic Remediation Centre in North Vancouver, is a highly regarded author in the field of learning disabilities and has taught special education at both UBC and SFU. Internationally, she is a respected member of Project Overseas, which assists students and teachers in developing countries. Lorna has been involved with teacher training in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Thailand and Pakistan.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“Sadly, in the year 2010 British Columbia has the highest child poverty rate in Canada. Twenty years ago the House of Commons voted to make child poverty history by the year 2000 in Canada (BCTF.ca). As a child born into poverty the issue of reducing child poverty is very important to me. I know that without the reduction of child poverty many are locked into underachievement and punishment.”
MONA BERCIU
A gifted teacher, researcher and scientist, Mona has inspired many women to pursue careers in physics. As a UBC professor of physics, Mona is legendary for giving flawless mathematical and technical lectures with no reference material, captivating her students and earning her exceptionally high ratings. As the main organizer of Welcome Women!, an initiative which seeks to attract female students to the study of physics, Mona has made a significant difference to how female students view science. Mona’s teaching prowess was recognized by UBC with the 2006 Faculty of Science Killam Prize for Excellence in Teaching.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“Violence—whether directed at other humans, any other live beings or our own planet—is unacceptable and should be educated out of any civilized society. I support YWCA Vancouver's program on preventing violence against women for its efforts to break the abuse cycle by helping children and women victims of violence to heal and recover.”
LORA BIRD
With immense heart and passion, Lora inspires and challenges young learners to transform their worlds with love and respect for themselves and others. As a deeply cherished kindergarten teacher at Tecumseh Annex Elementary, Lora encourages her students to speak up for diversity, resolve conflict and stand up to bullying. As a presenter and leader with the C.A.R.E. Program—Challenge Abuse through Respect Education—and a contributor to the Vancouver School Board’s Social Responsibility and Diversity team, Lora utilizes her training to benefit the entire school. Lora is also a gifted songwriter and has written songs for children to teach them—through music—how to deal with issues such as discrimination and boundary setting.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“The beginning is formative and childhood experiences weigh with heavy impact on human development. There’s no better way to support a child than to support their mother. Crabtree Corner provides the most basic of needs: safety, food, shelter and respect which is why I choose to support reducing child poverty. Everybody deserves respect and this program delivers it where and when it counts.”
DR. ANNE CONDON
A gifted Professor of Computer Science and Associate Dean of Science at UBC, Anne has led several successful initiatives aimed at broadening participation in science and engineering, with a particular focus on women in computing. As the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/General Motors Canada Chair for Women in Science and Engineering, she created a regional community of leaders who support girls and women in exploring non-traditional career goals and funded nationwide research and mentoring programs for women undergraduates in computing. Anne initiated the development of policies at UBC’s Faculty of Science that strengthen mentoring practices and support faculty who take maternity or parental leaves. Anne is an inspiring mentor and role model to countless students and faculty across North America.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“Education in computer science offers incredible opportunities for everyone to make a positive difference in society. I choose to support early learning and care for children so that our children can be curious, yet secure, in exploring the frontiers of tomorrow's world.”
DR. NANCY MACKAY
An award-winning CEO coach, published author and sought-after public speaker, Nancy challenges CEOs and executive teams to accelerate business results through a holistic approach to leadership, personal development and business growth. Nancy is President of MacKay & Associates which has improved its clients’ organizational performance for more than 10 years and gained the trust of more than 150 Canadian CEOs. Nancy is actively involved in promoting and mentoring women through teaching, voluntary board participation and by increasing the rate of participation of female CEOs and executives in her forums.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“As a parent and CEO coach, I see the challenges faced by CEOs as they do their best to help their kids transition from elementary to high school. I choose to support healthy choices for youth because YWCA Vancouver is working to help Grade 7 girls and boys face the challenges of transitioning from elementary to high school.”
DR. DAWN MCARTHUR & DR. SARA SWENSON (CO-NOMINATION)
More than ten years ago, searching the Internet for "research grants facilitator" provided only two names: Dawn McArthur and Sara Swenson. Since then, almost every university and research institution in Canada has embraced Sara and Dawn’s model of research support. Dawn and Sara are scientists who love research, educators who love teaching and writers who love using language as a tool. They are out-of-the-box thinkers who play multi-faceted roles as advisors, collaborators, mentors, teachers and coaches. Dawn and Sara both have long histories supporting young women in science and scholarship and are both former Presidents of the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“Reducing child poverty is one of our greatest social challenges; raising healthy children, one of our primary social responsibilities. I choose this area because the YWCA takes on the challenge of child poverty directly at the grassroots level—where services have the most impact—by providing community-based resources to support the essential daily needs of vulnerable children and women.” Dawn McArthur
"As the mother of three children—two sons in university and a daughter in high school—I understand how difficult it is to help youth make the transition from childhood to adulthood and the challenges that many youth face. I choose to support the YWCA program supporting healthy choices for youth which empowers young people to become self-confident, healthy, socially responsible adults." Sara Swenson
DR. SHEILA STENZEL
As the visionary Director of the Mineral Resources Education Program of BC, Sheila oversees this teacher-driven program which educates students from kindergarten to grade 12 about geoscience, mineral exploration and mining. Now in its 19th year, the Program has assisted more than 7,500 teachers with mineral-related curricula and learning experiences, benefiting more than 680,000 students. In 2009, Sheila received one of the highest honours in her industry—the Canadian Institute of Mining presented her with the Order of Sancta Barbara Award for her untiring efforts and contributions to the mining industry. With a deep dedication to education and youth, Sheila continues to passionately guide the career paths of many.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“Young people need adults in their lives who demonstrate interest in them, open their eyes to the bigger world around them and are good role models. I support the YWCA’s healthy choices for youth program that provides teens with experiences that help them realize their potential, make good decisions and contribute positively to the community.”
IONA WHISHAW
An accomplished and long-serving educator, Iona is the Principal of David Thompson Secondary and a champion for all learners and sees potential barriers as opportunities. While Principal of Sir Charles Tupper Secondary, she was the catalyst for positive transformation, creating a safe and supportive school climate and a lasting legacy of accessible community learning and genuine student leadership. She embraced new and alternative approaches that would allow all learners to not only succeed, but to flourish. In 2008, Iona was featured in Principal Leadership as one of six principals in North America who exemplify ethical leadership.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“I support healthy choices for youth because youth choice is highly correlated with engagement and agency by youth in their own lives. Adults need to value the crucial role they play in this. When relationships with youth are centered in kindness and based on a generosity of expectation then there is a creative open space in interactions where new and empowered choices can be born.”
