Brigitte Martin – New Brunswick
Brigitte Martin has been teaching literacy for about 10 years. Very early in her career, she felt a call to help learners who were having problems reading and understanding instructions. She decided to find out more about the topic and enrolled in various training programs. Martin quickly developed expertise in learning disabilities, to the benefit of her students who were then able to face their everyday problems in the academic sphere, as well as in their social and personal lives. Students are so grateful to Martin that even several years later they return to proudly tell her of their progress and success. Their accomplishments mean a lot to her and motivate Martin to keep broadening her knowledge for the advancement of adult education.
Bertha Goulet – Northwest Territories
Bertha Goulet is a mother of five from the Yellowknives Dene Community of Ndilo, Northwest Territories. She recently returned to school after many years and has just completed the eight-month “Believe in Yourself” course, a first step towards her goal of a career in the health field. Bertha is a leader in the classroom, always encouraging and supporting her peers to do their best. She maintained a perfect attendance record for all of her courses this past year, despite her many family and job obligations. In recognition of her outstanding success in her studies she was chosen as this year’s valedictorian. In addition to being an excellent student, Bertha is a role model for others in the community; she is very active in cultural activities and as a volunteer.
Celeste Axworthy – Nova Scotia
Celeste Axworthy, an Acadian residing in the Southwestern region of Nova Scotia, left school in 1970 but eventually found the courage to return. Although her sons faced learning challenges, they overcame these obstacles, which encouraged her to do the same. An outstanding student who surpassed even her instructor’s expectations, Axworthy credits her husband of 30 years as her rock to lean on when life gets tough. Axworthy’s extensive volunteer work attests to her work ethic and commitment to excellence. In 2012–13 she was elected as Student Association President and has been voted in again for 2013–14. Axworthy graduated with a Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma for Adults in June 2013 and will attend the Continuing Care Assistant program at a Nova Scotia Community College in 2013–14.
Catherine Hoyt – Nunavut
Catherine Hoyt has been the volunteer Chair of the Friends of the Iqaluit Centennial Library since 2006. Under her leadership, the library has improved services to the community of Iqaluit and significantly increased literacy-based programs to include all of Nunavut’s official languages and all age groups from infant to adult. Attendance at these programs often reaches maximum capacity. Among Hoyt’s volunteer responsibilities is the preparation and submission of funding proposals and through her efforts, funding for literacy programs and services has grown considerably. Not only has Hoyt led the expansion of these programs, but she also runs many of the weekly programs as a volunteer. She has a Master’s in Library and Information Studies from Dalhousie University. Libraries and children’s programming, in particular, are a passion of Hoyt’s dating back to her years as a summer student working in the public library system in New Brunswick.