Honouring the impact of team members’ contributions to student success
Foothills School Division’s Board of Trustees welcomed staff and community partners to the annual Board Recognition Lunch on June 10, 2026, at the Division Office. The event brought together colleagues from across the division to celebrate excellence, leadership, and the many ways staff and community members support student success.
Hosted by the Board of Trustees, the lunch recognized 36 recipients of the Excellence in Supporting Student Success Awards, along with several distinguished honours that reflect the depth and diversity of contributions across Foothills School Division.
Honouring excellence in supporting student success
The Excellence in Supporting Student Success Award recognizes staff members across a wide range of roles who embody FSD’s purpose of placing students at the centre of a flourishing community, ensuring students feel supported, included, and empowered to learn (learn more).
This year’s recipients represent schools and departments across the division, reflecting the collective effort it takes to support every learner. From classrooms to front offices, from transportation routes to division teams, their work demonstrates that student safety and success is a shared responsibility.
Please join us in congratulating the 2026 Excellence in Supporting Student Success Award recipients:
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Nancy Sorenson | Educational Assistant | Big Rock School |
Bobby Doran | Educational Assistant | Big Rock School |
Amy Wight | Office Administrator | Blackie School |
Janelle Kowaluk | Educational Assistant | Blackie School |
Kianna Marsh | Educational Assistant | C. Ian McLaren School |
Paula Eresman | Learning Commons Facilitator | C. Ian McLaren School |
Sierra Horn | Educational Assistant | Cameron Crossing School |
Meegan Selby | Educational Assistant | Cameron Crossing School |
Kristy Smith | Educational Assistant | Cayley School |
Amber Schellenberg | Accounting Manager | Division Office |
Juliette Parkins | Educational Assistant | Division Office - SLP Team |
Sara Fox | Manager of Communications | Division Office |
Shannon Long | Family School Liaison Counsellor | Dr. Morris Gibson |
Anna McGarvie | Educational Assistant | École Joe Clark |
Jen Stenberg | Educational Assistant | École Joe Clark |
Amanda MacKay | Educational Assistant | École Percy Pegler |
Charlotte Bouck | Educational Assistant | ÉSFCHS | AHSFA |
Kathryn Layton | CTS Instructor | ÉSFCHS | AHSFA |
Lorelei Lewin | Learning Commons Facilitator | École Secondaire Highwood High School |
Allison Pedersen | Secretary | École Secondaire Highwood High School |
Ellen Howden | Educational Assistant | École Senator Riley Middle School |
Rebecca Kyllo Nichols | Learning Commons Facilitator | École Senator Riley Middle School |
Emily Rawson | Educational Assistant | Longview School |
Yvonne Morgan | Secretary | Longview School |
Kim Wedderburn | Educational Assistant | Meadow Ridge School |
Donna Short | Secretary | Meadow Ridge School |
Alex Obrigewitsch | Educational Assistant | Millarville Community School |
Rachel Pomares | Educational Assistant | Oilfields School |
Misty Henry | Youth Development Coach | Oilfields School |
Carrie Beacom | Learning Commons Facilitator | Red Deer Lake School |
Michelle MacPherson | Office Administrator | Spitzee School |
Kara Johnson | Educational Assistant | Spitzee School |
Lise Anne Pinder | Safety & Training Coordinator | Transportation Services |
Chantel Barichello | Regular Bus Driver | Transportation Services |
Amanda Ertmoed | Educational Assistant | Westmount School |
Lana Gwilliam | Office Administrator | Westmount School |
Recognizing leadership and emerging educators
The Board also recognized Dave Roberts, Principal at École Secondaire Highwood High School, as the 2026 recipient of the ATA Council for School Leadership Distinguished Leadership Award (read story). This honour celebrates exceptional leadership that fosters positive school culture, supports staff, and enhances student learning experiences.
In addition, three early-career teachers were celebrated as Edwin Parr Award nominees (read story):
- Emily Lane (Longview School)
- Liam Scott (Meadow Ridge School)
- April Welsh (École Joe Clark School)
Celebrating community partnerships
Strong community connections are also integral to student success, and the Board Recognition Lunch highlighted this through two significant honours:
- Paul Rasporitch - Flourishing Foothills Community Award recipient, recognizing his contributions across the system.
- The Foothills Emergency Services Program –Alberta School Board Association (ASBA) Friends of Education Award nominee for Foothills School Division.
Features on these award recipients, and their contributions to FSD student success will follow.
A collective commitment to students
The Board Recognition Lunch reflects Foothills School Division’s shared belief that every staff member contributes to student success. Events like this are one way the division acknowledges and celebrates that collective effort—ensuring that the dedication, care, and expertise of staff and community partners are recognized and appreciated.
Together, these contributions help create safe, caring, and welcoming learning environments where every student belongs and receives the supports to succeed.
