CAMPBELL RIVER – A Campbell River Aboriginal support worker is getting provincial recognition.
Jodi Guy from École Phoenix Middle School is among the finalists in this year’s Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education.
She is being recognized in the Outstanding Support-School Community category.
Guy is one of 30 education professionals across B.C. to have been named as finalists.
The province says they were chosen for their leadership, innovation, support and dedication to the students and school community in which they work.
“Educators play a crucial role in students’ lives and deserve recognition for the important work they do,” said Claire Trevena, MLA for North Island. “Congratulations Jodi for this outstanding achievement, and thank you for the work you do every day to inspire Indigenous students and support families in Campbell River.”
As an Indigenous youth care worker for the past 15 years, Guy supports Indigenous students in Grade 6 to 8 and their families.
“In addition to using Indigenous ways of learning as a fabric for all student learning, she works diligently to ensure her school is safe, welcoming and reflects the diverse Indigenous student population. She creates a space that encourages members of the community to be partners in the children’s education,” the province said.
Guy said she loves her job.
“It is a great joy for me to go to work every day,” she said. “My day-to-day activities, oftentimes I’m dealing directly with my students or their families. I support them in accessing outside services, sometimes that can be referrals to pediatricians, or other community agencies or working with teachers or administrators in our building.”
Launched in 2018, the annual Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education recognizes the contributions of public, independent and First Nations school system teachers, principals, vice-principals, school and district leaders, and support staff for K-12 students in B.C.
The experience has been humbling for Guy.
“I was very surprised and very honoured to be a finalist for the award and the response has been a little overwhelming,” she said.
She has been doing the job for so long, she is now working with some of her former students’ children.
“And that’s pretty amazing,” she said.
This year, 10 awards are going to six teachers, two recognizing school and district leaders, and two 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.
