The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Community members invited to celebrate at free awards event

Two Alberta teachers, Frank Jenkins and Kristopher Wells, will be among 28 people honoured by the University of Alberta at its annual alumni award ceremony on Sept. 24.

Frank Jenkins

Retired science teacher Frank Jenkins spent more than 40 years inspiring young minds through a teaching philosophy of encouraging students to test and explore rather than simply memorizing procedures. After teaching high school chemistry for more than 30 years, Jenkins spent more than 10 years as a university instructor at the U of A. He led the faculty’s Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education and further shared his knowledge by writing innovative textbooks.

Having participated in workshops and projects around the world, Jenkins has influenced teachers and students from near and far through passion, innovation and dedication. He has devoted time to the Association’s Edmonton Chemistry Council and has been previously honoured with a Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence and the Association’s Science Award for Distinguished Service.

Jenkins earned his bachelor of education in 1966, his master’s in 1971 and his PhD in 1987, all at the U of A.

Kristopher Wells

Kristopher Wells is one of Canada’s leading experts on sexual and gender minority youth. His work has received more than 50 awards, including a SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship, Killam Doctoral Fellowship and, most recently, the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s Public Education Award.

In 2004, Wells co‐founded Camp fYrefly, which is Canada’s only national leadership retreat for sexual and gender minority youth. He also helped to create U of A Pride Week and the award‐winning NoHomophobes.com, which went viral all over the world.

Wells also helped develop groundbreaking resources on gay‐straight alliances, homophobic and transphobic bullying and LGBTQ‐inclusive policies and legislation for school boards and governments across Canada. Currently, he serves as the book review editor for the Journal of LGBT Youth and is a board member for REACH Edmonton, a centre for excellence focused on crime prevention and community safety.

Wells earned a bachelor of education in 1994, a master’s in 2003 and a PhD in 2011, all at the U of A.  ❚

You’re invited

All community members are invited to attend the free awards event.