The Centre for Education Research continues to be proud of its members.

Most recently, we wish to extend a huge congratulations to one of its members, Fiona Walton, who is the recipient of this year's Janet Pottie Murray Award. 

The Janet Pottie Murray Award for Instructional Leadership was created by her daughter, Dr. Shannon Murray to "an individual [who has] provided leadership among faculty [and] colleagues in developing activities that help create an environment in which teacher excellence is fostered and appreciated."(The Janet Pottie Murray Award for Instructional Leadership)

As stated in the official UPEI press release, Fiona's commitment to educational leadership not only at UPEI but also in Nunavut has served as an inspiration to many. The chair of the selection committee, Dr. Jane Magrath (Department of English), did a supurb job at summarizing how much Fiona deserves this award:

Dr. Walton is an active, committed colleague whose educational leadership has
gained prominence beyond UPEI through her role as program coordinator and
course instructor in the MEd program launched in Nunavut in 2006. The Nunavut
MEd was a groundbreaking collaboration between UPEI and the Nunavut
community, which saw 21 Inuit graduates cross the stage in Iqaluit on July 1,
2009 to accept their degrees in the first graduate program offered in
Nunavut. The MEd responded to the need for high-quality, relevant graduate
education in a geographically, socially and culturally unique area of Canada.

Fiona's passion for enhancing understanding of Aboriginal cultures is also
evident in the innovative Specialization in Indigenous Education initiated by
Fiona and her colleague Dr. Basil Favaro within the BEd program at UPEI. In
the Indigenous Specialization preservice, teachers gain an understanding of
and sensitivity to Aboriginal culture which enables them to gain experience
and personal connections with Indigenous communities in Canada and beyond.

Fiona Walton is a generous colleague whose commitment to Inuit and
Indigenous education has resulted in the development of transformative
programs within the Faculty of Education and the large expanse of Nunavut;
she inspires her students and also her colleagues - near and far - by sharing
her expertise, formally and informally, and helping others to become better
teachers and educational leaders through their own connections to Canadian
Aboriginal communities.

Congratulations Fiona!