Foothills School Division recognizes and celebrates excellence in supporting student success

On June 11, 2025, Foothills School Division gathered to celebrate the 24 recipients of the 2025 Excellence in Supporting Student Success Award. This prestigious recognition honours the outstanding contributions of the division’s support staff. These individuals exemplify dedication, compassion, and excellence in fostering student achievement and well-being across our schools.

The Excellence in Supporting Student Success Award is a long-standing tradition and part of the division’s broader commitment to recognizing the vital role all staff play in creating safe, caring, welcoming, and respectful learning environments. From educational assistants, learning commons facilitators, and administrative professionals, to bus drivers and facility workers, their work is vital to the success of our students and the strength of our school communities.

Each year, recipients are selected through a nomination process open to all staff and community members. Recipients are true reflections of the system’s mission, vision, and purpose—placing students at the centre of a flourishing learning community. The award is a celebration of their commitment to student success and the positive culture they help build throughout the division.

The Foothills School Division extends heartfelt congratulations to all nominees and recipients. Recipients include:

• Tonia Kohls, Educational Assistant, Big Rock School
• Debbie McHugh, Office Administrator, Big Rock
• Andrea Fulton Hall, Educational Assistant, C. Ian McLaren
• Amber Scoulding, Educational Assistant, C. Ian McLaren
• Maya Cuellar Hernandez, Family School Liaison Counsellor, Cameron Crossing
• Kellie Schofield, Office Administrator, Cayley School
• Angie Zimmer, Manager of Human Resources, Division Office
• Cathy Mathieson, Educational Assistant, École Joe Clark
• Adrienne Lockton, Educational Assistant, École Joe Clark
• Pierre Lamielle, CTS Instructor, ÉSFCHS | AHSFA
• Austin Doyle, CTS Instructor, ÉSFCHS | AHSFA
• Julie Burridge, CTS Instructor, École Secondaire Highwood High
• Roz Zuehlke, Office Administrator, École Secondaire Highwood High
• Shelley Lee, Educational Assistant, École Senator Riley Middle 
• Pam Milligan, Educational Assistant, École Senator Riley Middle 
• Heather Nieman, Secretary, Heritage Heights
• Michelle Hammond, Educational Assistant, Longview
• Brandy Golebeski, Educational Assistant, Millarville
• Amie Bell, Bus Driver, Transportation Services
• Amanda Thornhill       Administrative Assistant & Bus Driver, Transportation Services
• Pam Walsh, Secretary, Red Deer Lake
• Danica Henckel, Educational Assistant, Red Deer Lake
• Nicole van Nostrand, Family School Liaison Counsellor, Westmount School
• Tabitha Lajoie, Educational Assistant, Westmount School

In addition to the Excellence in Supporting Student Success award recipients, Foothills School Division recognized:

• Mr. Drew Chipman, who received a lifetime membership from the Association of School Business Officials of Alberta for his contributions to education business.
• Sarah Clark, Principal at Dr. Morris Gibson School and Lauren Frandle, Vice Principal at Meadow Ridge School for the 2025 ATA Council for School Leadership Distinguished Leadership Award.
• Kohkum Virginia Aldolff Pinay, volunteer, as the division’s nominee for the Alberta School Boards Association Friends of Education Award. Kookum Virginia’s contributions to learning and advancing Truth and Reconciliation in schools has made a profound impact on student learning. 
• Justine Johnson, educator at École Joe Clark, as the division’s nominee for the Alberta School Boards Association Zone 5 Edwin Parr Award for excellence as a first year teacher. 

Foothills School Division is proud to be able to celebrate its diverse and dedicated team. Please join us in congratulating our esteemed team members!

Media Contact
 Sara Fox
 Manager, Communications & Community Engagement
communications@fsd38.ab.ca