Apprentissage pour adultes Chaleur Inc. – New Brunswick
Apprentissage pour adultes Chaleur Inc. is a volunteer-led community organization employing a staff of 13 employees whose mission is to deliver adult learning services to both linguistic communities to improve literacy levels and digital literacy. The organization is known for forming strong community, government, and private partnerships. Dynamic, creative, and proactive, it spares no effort to promote the importance of literacy and motivates learners to demonstrate the benefits of continuous learning. According to the learners, it offers guidance in various aspects of life and far exceeds its primary mission, always going one step further.
Nancy Murphy – Newfoundland and Labrador
Nancy Murphy left high school at age 15 to become a full-time parent. Seven years later, she enrolled in the provincial Adult Basic Education (ABE) program where she achieved high school equivalency. She then earned a Bachelor of Education degree and began working at the Dunfield Park Community Centre as a Homework Haven and Teen Haven teacher. In November 2010, Murphy was promoted to ABE Level I instructor. From ABE student to ABE instructor, she has been a positive role model for her students. She has the unique perspective of having been in their shoes, experiencing similar challenges, and persevering to show that through hard work you can achieve your goals.
Sylvia Clement – Northwest Territories
Sylvia Clement is a 29 year old single mother of two young children who also has parental responsibility for her younger brother. Clement grew up in Tulita, NWT and has been a student at the Aurora College Learning Centre in Norman Wells for the last two years. She is punctual and hardworking and strives constantly towards her goal of achieving a secondary school diploma and attending college. Clement is an inspiring role model to others in her dual roles of parent and student and handles these two responsibilities with tremendous enthusiasm, commitment, grace and maturity. She has demonstrated her commitment to helping others improve their literacy skills through her volunteer work in the Chief Albert Wright School in Tulita and in her work in the Family Literacy Program in Norman Wells. Clement is also very involved in traditional cultural activities in both communities.
Trena L. Simmonds – Nova Scotia
Trena Simmond’s first experience with graduation was when her eldest son graduated from high school. Nearly 22 years since she had left school, she enrolled in the African Canadian Transition Program, at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC). This is a program which highlights the history, culture and achievements of people of African descent. While most students progress into the Adult Learning Program after one year, Simmonds was the first student who aspired to complete all of the required credits needed to earn a high school diploma in one academic year. She made outstanding progress and her inspirational poem about the first day in class is framed and permanently hung in the classroom. Simmonds has been accepted in the NSCC Business Administration Program.