These awards celebrate and recognize University of Manitoba graduates who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in their professional lives, and are inspirations to fellow alums, current students and the community.

Recipients

Dr. J.M. Brown Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teacher Education

Dr. Allyson Matczuk

Excellence in Teaching Awards for Early, Middle, and Senior Years Teachers

Early Years – Leah Posillipo

Middle Years – Debby Medeiros

Senior Years – Stacey Abramson

Education Alumni Scholarship Winners (B.Ed)

Tyler Medeiros

Audrey Sauler

Jessica Jaman

Julie Sprague

Dr. Farrell is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at Brandon University and a proud UM alum, has presented at several national and international conferences on topics such as schools as caring ecologies, using arts-based approaches to better understand the emotional dimensions of climate change education and ecofeminist orientations to pedagogy.

She is passionate about fostering a caring ecology in the study of education. Her research focuses on teaching, leading, and learning in the face of the climate crisis.

Dr. Farrell was a recipient of the T. B. Greenfield National Dissertation Award from the Canadian Association for the Study of Educational Administration and the University of Manitoba Distinguished Dissertation Award for Social Sciences in 2018.

Homecoming Reception & Lecture “The Radical Promise of Education in the Face of Climate Change” presented by Dr. Alysha J. Farrell.

Date: September 21, 2022

Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Locations:

• Reception: Room 200, Education Building
• Lecture: Room 290, Education Building

Registration is required for both in-person and virtual options.

Please RSVP for the in-person event https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/403523769457

Virtual: After registering, you will receive a Zoom link to join in. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/403704279367

One of those winners, Sue McFarlane Penner, was chosen because of her dedication to her teaching career.

Sue McFarlane Penner receives her award from Debra Lovelace, EAA.

McFarlane Penner, who teaches Grade 2 at Sargent Park School, received this year’s Education Alumni Association Excellence in Teaching Award. Debra Lovelace from the Education Alumni Association, who made the presentation, said McFarlane Penner exemplified a person who has demonstrated “excellence in teaching over a career.”

The award winner was lauded for her philosophy for every learner, which is “you belong here.” Her peers submitted her name for the award because of the innovative classroom environment she has created, along with her belief that teaching goes beyond the classroom.

“She has never been content to sit on the sidelines,” said Lovelace. For example, she piloted and implemented a new/guided reading centre in the Grade 1 classroom. She also introduced a buddy program, whereby early years students were partnered with students in the Grade 9 class.

McFarlane Penner is also committed to furthering her education, having completed her post-baccalaureate diploma in special education.

“Congratulations on all you have achieved, Sue. We are so glad your calling is education,” Lovelace said during the award presentation at the Education Homecoming evening.

2015 J.M. Brown Award recipient Jennifer Campbell.

Jennifer Campbell, who has been the faculty’s co-ordinator of school placements since 2011, was this year’s J.M. Brown Award winner. The award is named after the former dean of the Faculty of Education from 1959-74. It’s presented to an individual each year who has made an “outstanding contribution to the improvement of teacher education in Manitoba.”

Campbell has made many significant contributions to the field of education in Manitoba, said David Mandzuk, dean of the faculty. She had a long career in education before she came to the faculty, having worked nearly 35 years in the Winnipeg School Division as a phys. ed. teacher. She is involved with the Manitoba Phys.Ed. Teachers Association and was phys. ed. coordinator with the Winnipeg School Division for some years.

During her time in the faculty, said Mandzuk, Campbell has “helped build partnerships with schools and colleagues” and “works tirelessly with the School Experiences Office.” She helped create a northern practicum option for teacher candidates which now allows them to apply to do their practicums in Norway House, Gillam and Churchill. She also helped built the facilitated French Immersion practicum option in the Seven Oaks School Division and the Indigenous Studies Practicum option in the Louis Riel School Division, said Mandzuk.

The 2015 Scholarship Winners receive their awards from Debra Lovelace, EAA (far right).

During the faculty’s Homecoming evening, three Education Alumni Association scholarships were also handed out. Kathleen Donnelly, Integrated Music Education, Julian Eiril Arcega, Senior Years and Shawna McLeod, Senior Years, all received 2015 scholarships.