The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Gold medal winners announced

The ATA Gold Medals in Education recognize the outstanding achievements of students graduating from Alberta’s faculties of education.

Rachelle Anne Williams is this year’s recipient of the M. E. LaZerte Gold Medal in Education, University of Alberta. Williams graduated from the BPE and BEd combined degrees program in 2013. She coaches track and field and plays competitive fastball, including two years on the University of Alberta women’s fastball team. Williams currently supervises a bike camp for children and is looking forward to teaching in the school ­system in the near future.

Valérie Blanchet is this year’s recipient of La Médaille d’Or Marie-Louise Brugeyroux, Campus Saint-Jean, University of Alberta. Blanchet was born and raised in Saint-Apollinaire, Quebec. In 2009, she was accepted into the general sciences program at Campus Saint-Jean and transferred to the Faculty of Education the following year, majoring in sciences and minoring in social studies. In 2013, she completed her BEd with distinction.

Valérie Blanchet a reçu cette année la Médaille d’or Marie-Louise Brugeyroux. Originaire de Saint-Apollinaire au Québec, elle est arrivée à Edmonton en 2009 pour effectuer des études en sciences au Campus Saint-Jean de l’Université de l’Alberta. Acceptée l’année suivante au programme d’éducation du Campus, elle a obtenu avec distinction en 2013 son baccalauréat en éducation avec majeure en sciences et mineure en études sociales.

Allan Broughton is this year’s recipient of the Clarence Sansom Gold Medal in Education, University of Calgary. During the past summer, Broughton was employed by the Foothills School Division as a guest teacher of math in the summer school program. Before teaching, Broughton served in the Canadian military, where he saw every province and territory in Canada. He believes the military is where he gained valuable leadership skills.

Joanne Collier is this year’s recipient of the William Aberhart Gold Medal in Education, University of Lethbridge. Collier completed her after-degree program in 2012 with a BEd, majoring in music education. Throughout her professional internships, she exhibited ­passion about music education, was an excellent student and was regarded as an excellent teacher.