Julie Andrews, centre, stands with 2020 and 2021 Arbos award winners. (Facebook/Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation)

By Derek Cornet

milestone

Andrews accepts prestigious provincial education award

Jun 1, 2022 | 4:15 PM

Teacher Julie Andrews of La Ronge’s Churchill Community High School is the recipient of a prestigious provincial education award.

She was selected for a 2022 Arbos for Contributions to Education and the Teaching Profession from the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation. The award honours teachers who have made outstanding contributions to education and the teaching profession that are broad and significant in their scope and impact.

The Arbos is the highest honour that the Saskatchewan teaching profession can bestow. Andrews, a member of Fond du Lac Denesųłiné First Nation, received the award at a ceremony earlier this week.

“I was pretty humbled,” she said. “I knew Jenna O’Connor had nominated me earlier in the school year, and then in February, I got the surprising phone call that I was selected as the recipient this year. It was just a really humbling experience knowing what Jenna saw in me was also valued by other people. It was a good feeling.”

Andrews was born and raised in Prince Albert before earning an education degree and a bachelor of science in kinesiology.at the University of Saskatchewan. She began teaching in 2003 in communities such as Big River, Meadow Lake and Wollaston Lake, and then accepted a position in La Ronge in 2008.

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Andrews joined the Saskatchewan Physical Education Association board in 2013, where she currently sits as the president elect. Since 2017, she has been active with the Ministry of Education’s Saskatchewan Physical Education 20/30 Curriculum Renewal and she’s a member of the Reference Committee, Writing Team and Implementation Team.

“I don’t do sports. I have kind of quit coaching, but I do focus a lot on physical education curriculum,” she said.

As a parent and member of Pre-Cam’s School Community Council, Andrews has been advancing conversations about the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous languages and advocating for the development of Woodland Cree Immersion programming in the tri-communities. She said she tries to embed Indigenous culture and perspectives not only in her classes, but the school as well.

O’Connor has worked with Andrews at Churchill since 2011 and she nominated her because she believes she demonstrates an unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of students through her professional leadership, teaching and extra-curricular involvement. O’Connor noted Andrews fosters positive relationships with students that encourage them to meet their potential.

She mentioned Andrews leadership and dedication to culture-based learning helps students feel proud of who they are.

“In who she is and all that she shares, Julie brings honour to the teaching profession,” O’Connor said. “I am happy for Julie. She is a role model who deserves to be celebrated for her important contributions to education.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno